KMID : 0359020090380030128
|
|
Korean Journal of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 2009 Volume.38 No. 3 p.128 ~ p.132
|
|
The Efficacy and Safety of Performing Colonoscopy in Patients 80 Years
|
|
Lim Yeun-Jung
Rhee Poong-Lyul Kim Jae-Jun Rhee Jong-Chul Sohn Hee Jung Chang Dong-Kyung Kim Young-Ho
|
|
Abstract
|
|
|
Background/Aims: Optical colonoscopy is considered the gold standard for conducting a colorectal examination. Yet clinicians are often reluctant to refer elderly patients for colonoscopy because of their perception that it is a risky procedure. The aim of this study was to establish the efficacy and safety of performing colonoscopy in patients 80 years of age and older.
Methods: The study data was retrospectively collected from January 2000 to April 2007. Comparisons were made between two groups: The patients were classified based on age: 50~69 years and ¡Ã80 years of age. We collected data on sedation, the total colonoscopy rates, the indication, the colonoscopic findings and the complications.
Results: Three hundred and forty-nine patients (170 elderly patients and 179 patients aged 50~69 years) were enrolled. Compared to the patients aged 50~69 years, the elderly patients had more clinically significant findings (55.9% for the elderly patient and 37.4% for the patients aged 50~80 years). Cecal intubation was done at a similar rate for both groups (94.7% and 96.6%, respectively). Although the elderly patients usually had one or more co-morbid illnesses (p£¼0.001), the complication rate was not different between the 2 groups.
Conclusions: Colonoscopy in the elderly is safe and effective and it allows physicians to discover many significant findings.
|
|
KEYWORD
|
|
Colonoscopy, Elderly, Efficacy, Safety
|
|
FullTexts / Linksout information
|
|
|
|
Listed journal information
|
|
|