National survey regarding the timing of endoscopic procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Background

During the COVID-19 pandemic, several questions have arisen about which endoscopic procedures (EPs) must be performed and which ones can be postponed. The aim of this study was to conduct a nationwide survey regarding the appropriate timing of EPs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

This prospective study was performed through a nationwide electronic survey. The survey consisted of 15 questions divided into three sections. The first evaluated the agreement for EPs classified as "time sensitive" and "not time sensitive". Two other sections assessed "high-priority" and "low-priority" scenarios. Agreement was considered when?>?75% of respondents answered a question in the same direction.

Results

The response rate was 27.2% (214/784). Among the respondents, agreement for the need to perform EP in??90% of the surveyed respondents considered that EP could not be postponed for?>?8 weeks.

Conclusions

There was no consensus among endoscopists about the timing of EPs in patients with pathologies considered time sensitive or in those with high-priority pathologies. Agreement was only reached in five (17%) of the evaluated clinical scenarios.

SUBMITTER: Marroquin-Reyes JD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7831145 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature