Consequences of Delayed Endoscopies on the IBD Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, routine maintenance including endoscopies were postponed for patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The effects of delaying endoscopies on IBD outcomes are currently unknown. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate effects of delayed endoscopies on...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2022-07-01
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| Series: | World Journal of Colorectal Surgery |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/wjcs.wjcs_28_22 |
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| Summary: | Background:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, routine maintenance including endoscopies were postponed for patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The effects of delaying endoscopies on IBD outcomes are currently unknown.
Objectives:
This study aimed to evaluate effects of delayed endoscopies on IBD patients.
Design:
Retrospective study.
Patient and Methods:
review of all IBD patients scheduled for routine endoscopy at Northwestern Memorial Hospital March 13, 2020 through May 31, 2020, during which all endoscopies were canceled due to COVID-19. Patients were divided between rescheduled on-time after delayed. Patient outcomes one year after cancellation were examined.
Main Outcome Measure:
hospital and emergency room admissions, surgery, and medication changes.
Sample Size:
250 patients.
Results:
100 patients were included in the delayed group and 150 in the on-time group, with mean ages of 47.5 and 42.8 years respectively. 59.2% had Crohn's disease (CD), 39.2% had Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and 1.2% had indeterminate colitis. Both groups had similar severity scores during the delay and 1 year post-endoscopy. There was no difference in the number of emergency room or hospital admissions during the delay or at one-year post-endoscopy. One-year post-endoscopy there were significantly more hospitalizations in the on-time group (n=14, 9.3%) compared to the delayed group (n=3, 3%), P=0.03. There were more IBD related surgeries in the on-time group (16) compared to the delayed group (4), P=0.03.
Conclusion:
Patients with delayed endoscopies due to COVID-19 did not experience worse outcomes compared to patients with on-time endoscopies. There was a higher number of admissions and operations in the on-time group despite similar severity scores.
Limitations:
Retrospective analysis, only short and intermediate term follow up.
Conflict of Interest:
None. |
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| ISSN: | 1941-8213 |