Journal of Gastrointestinal & Digestive System
Open Access

Abstract

This study was carried out from Jan 12- Dec 12 to assess current practice in Kerry General Hospital against the age related indicators for colonoscopies. A total of 1474 colonoscopies were performed, 1177 (79.9%) were diagnostic and 297 (20.1%) were therapeutic, patients were divided into 4 age groups under 75, 75-80, 81-85, 86+. The trend analysis revealed an increase in diagnostic colonoscopies and decrease in therapeutic colonoscopies with age. 664 (45.04%) of colonoscopies were reported normal which made up the majority of the total diagnoses, 1330 (90.2%) of colonoscopies occurred without any complications. Main complications were patient discomfort being the highest, present in 112 (7.6%) of patients, and lowest being urticaria around the IV site present in 1 (0.1%) of the cases. Patient discomfort was higher in younger patients as evidenced by 98 cases aged <75, followed by 11 cases aged 75-80, 2 cases aged 81-85 and 1 case aged >86. Highest percentage of poor tolerance was found in 14 (1.1%) of total patients <75, 1 (0.8%) of total patients aged 75-80, 1(1.7%) of total patients in age group 81-85 and none (0%) in age group >86. We have established the safety of colonoscopy, low rate of complications and a better tolerance in the elderly from this study, however, its utility; especially in presence of other co-morbidities in elderly is questionable.

Biography

Faizan Rathore had his primary schooling done in Saudi Arabia & Pakistan, He then obtained his primary medical degree from University of Oradea, and then went on to complete his Basic Specialist Training in General Internal Medicine from the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, He has an active interest in Research and has various publications and presentations about different topics in Internal Medicine, He holds post graduate degrees in Cardiology & Syncope, his main career interest is in Cardiac Electrophysiology.