Colonic investigations in the elderly: Colonoscopy or barium enema?

Burtin, Pascal; Bour, Bruno; Charlois, T.; O, Ruget; Calès, Paul; Dauver, A; Boyer, J.

doi:10.1007/bf03324334

Cited by 17 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Few studies have addressed the safety and efficacy of colonoscopy in the elderly [1-3, 10, 12]. Anemia (10.7-56.7%) and changes in the bowel transit (4.1-38.8%) are the most common indications for colonoscopy [2,3,10,12]. Other indications are abdominal pain (5-16.6%), history of polyp or carcinoma (4.5-7%), prior surgery (18%), and weight loss (6.2-6.9%).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the literature, normal examination ranges from 13.8% to 34% [2,3,10,12]. Carcinomas are found more often in elderly populations (4.5-14%) than in young cohorts [1,12], especially when bleeding is one of the indications for colonoscopy [1].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Carcinomas are found more often in elderly populations (4.5-14%) than in young cohorts [1,12], especially when bleeding is one of the indications for colonoscopy [1]. Polyps (13.4-21.5%), diverticular disease (20-47.7%) and angiodysplastic changes (1.3-6%) are common findings during exploration in elderly patients [2,3,10]. Of the octogenarians examined in our study, 71% had a normal examination.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Colonoscopy in octogenarians and older patients

et al. 2001

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confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Colonoscopy in octogenarians and older patients

et al. 2001

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“…The use of barium enema as the first-line investigation has been advocated by many authors [1,3,4,11,13]. This strategy entails a number of drawbacks.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How useful is colonoscopy in locating colorectal lesions?

et al. 1998

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“…However the likelihood of poor bowel preparation for colonoscopy in an elderly patient is probably equal to that observed for BE [13].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Barium Enema in Frail Elderly Patients

Segal

Khahil²,

Leibovitz³

et al. 2000

Gerontology

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Background: Barium enema (BE) examinations for the investigation of suspected colonic disease are often unsuccessful in elderly patients. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the success rate of BE in hospitalized frail elderly patients. Methods: Four hundred and seventy-two elderly patients hospitalized for different reasons underwent BE examinations. The medical charts and radiological reports were retrospectively reviewed. Results: One hundred and ninety-two (41%) BE examinations were considered inadequate; mostly (32%) because of inappropriate preparation. Sixty-seven patients (14%) were not cooperative and could not retain the contrast material, and in 25 patients (5%), the examination failed due to both these reasons. The characteristics associated with unsuccessful BE examination were the mean number of medical problems (p < 0.001), the mean number of scheduled medications (p < 0.05) and in particular the long-term use of laxatives (p < 0.01) or antiparkinsonian drugs (p < 0.01). Of great significance in predicting an inadequate BE were the patient’s functional status (p < 0.001) and the presence of dementia (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The high percentage of unsuccessful BEs in the frail elderly suggests that clinicians should carefully consider the need for that examination in these patients. We suggest that only in patients where there is a clear suspicion of a bleeding or obstructing tumor should a BE examination be performed, and even in these cases, colonoscopy or CT may be preferable as the initial examination in the frail elderly.

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Colonic investigations in the elderly: Colonoscopy or barium enema?

Cited by 17 publications

References 13 publications

Colonoscopy in octogenarians and older patients

Colonoscopy in octogenarians and older patients

How useful is colonoscopy in locating colorectal lesions?

Barium Enema in Frail Elderly Patients

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