Changes in endoscopic patterns before and during COVID-19 outbreak: Experience at a single tertiary center in Korean

Abstract

BACKGROUND The surge of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients has markedly influenced the treatment policies of tertiary hospitals because of the need to protect medical staff and contain viral transmission, but the impact COVID-19 had on emergency gastrointestinal endoscopies has not been determined. AIM To compare endoscopic activities and analyze the clinical outcomes of emergency endoscopies performed before and during the COVID-19 outbreak in Daegu, the worst-hit region in South Korea. METHODS This retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients aged ≥ 18 years that underwent endoscopy from February 18 to March 28, 2020, at a tertiary hospital in Daegu. Demographics, laboratory findings, types and causes of emergency endoscopies, and endoscopic reports were reviewed and compared with those obtained for the same period in 2018 and 2019. RESULTS From February 18 to March 28, a total of 366 emergent endoscopic procedures were performed: Upper endoscopy (170, 50.6%), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (113, 33.6%), and colonoscopy with sigmoidoscopy (53, 15.8%). The numbers of procedures performed in 2018 and 2019 dropped by 48.8% and 54.8%, respectively, compared with those in 2020. During the COVID-19 outbreak, the main indications for endoscopy were melena (36.7%), hematemesis (30.6%), and hematochezia (10.2%). Of the endoscopic abnormalities detected, gastrointestinal bleeding was the most common: 39 cases in 2018, 51 in 2019, and 35 in 2020. CONCLUSION The impact of COVID-19 is substantial and caused dramatic reductions in endoscopic procedures and changes in patient behaviors. Long-term follow-up studies are required to determine the effects of COVID-19 induced changes in the endoscopy field.

Covid-19: A Retrospective Study About The Challenges for ERCP?

“…According to some studies, 3 most common indications for ERCP are bile duct stones, abdominal pain and distal tumors. Furthermore, following by these jaundice, fever, biliary duct stricture, kolangitis (12,13,18,19,20).…”

Pediatric Endoscopy During COVID-19 Times

“…A study conducted in one geographical area of Korea illustrated further impact on endoscopic procedures ( 39 ). This retrospective study was conducted in Daegu, a region of Korea with a high case burden at that time.…”

Changes in the Incidence Rates of Gastrointestinal Diseases Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic in South Korea: A Long-Term Perspective

“…The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a shift in the patterns of incidences of various diseases, and a paradigm shift in healthcare systems over the past 2 years [ 1 , 2 ]. A wide range of public health interventions, including both non-pharmaceutical (e.g., hand washing, social distancing, face mask use, voluntary quarantine, travel restrictions, limiting nonessential activities, school closures, and shutting down borders) and pharmaceutical (e.g., ventilators and vaccines) measures have been enforced worldwide against the COVID-19 pandemic [ 3 ], of which the former may inhibit human-to-human infections by avoiding the transmission of aerosols that are emitted by infected patients [ 4 ].…”

“…The number of endoscopic and surgical procedures for GI diseases declined by 50–90% during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 1 , 2 , 11 , 12 ], with an overall operation cancellation rate of 72% for benign GI diseases [ 12 ]. As compared with corresponding durations in 2018 and 2019, in 2020–2022, regular follow-up visits for GI diseases were interrupted or delayed by the pandemic [ 1 , 2 , 13 ]. The spread of COVID-19 has been impeded due to the enforcement of preventive hygiene policies such as mask wearing, hand washing, and social distancing [ 5 ].…”