Usefulness of prioritization systems during the resumption of gastrointestinal endoscopy activity during the COVID-19 pandemic

Gimeno–García, Antonio Z.; Hernández, Anjara; Hernández-Bustabad, Alberto; Amaral, Creusa Sayuri Tahara; Reygosa, Cristina; Morales-Arráez, Dalia; Jiménez, Alejandro; Nicolás–Pérez, David; Hernández‐Guerra, Manuel

doi:10.1055/a-1453-0206

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…This was especially true for advanced neoplasia/cancer, which substantially increased in the lockdown cohort. A recent published study carried out by our group assessed the usefulness of different prioritizing criteria (NICE, ESGE and Spanish Endoscopic Society criteria) in 1222 outpatient endoscopies during the resumption of endoscopic activity phase [ 28 ]. This study also showed a higher risk of significant lesions in the high-priority groups whatever the criteria used, validating the results of the present study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Appropriateness of high-priority criteria and safety of endoscopy procedures during the COVID-19 lockdown

et al. 2022

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Background During the coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19) pandemic, gastroenterology guidelines recommended the suspension or reduction of non-urgent endoscopy. We aimed to assess the appropriateness and safety of endoscopic activity during the pandemic first wave lockdown using European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) recommendations. Methods We identified scheduled patients from the onset of the lockdown in Spain since March 16, 2020) to April 14, 2020. Daily hospital COVID-19-related burden was also registered. A similar cohort from a period immediately before the lockdown was studied (pre-lockdown cohort) to compare appropriateness. Results 454 endoscopy procedures were performed during the studied period, comprising a 49.7% reduction compared to the pre-lockdown cohort (n = 913). There was a significant increase in ESGE high-priority indications (62.1% vs. 45.6%, p<0.001) associated with an increase in relevant endoscopic findings (p = 0.006), advanced neoplasia/cancer (p = 0.004) and cancer detection rate (p = 0.010). There were no differences in the rate of admissions or infection among scheduled patients in the lockdown cohort. None of the staff members tested positive for COVID-19 in the 7 days after the adoption of protective measures. Conclusion A prioritized endoscopic activity is not associated with higher contagion after adopting protective measures. In addition, a triage of procedures that follow the ESGE criteria increases the rate of relevant endoscopic findings. These considerations may reduce the impact of the delays of diagnosis after the pandemic.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%