Clinical Follow-Up On Covid-19 Infection In Patients Undergoing Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: A Multicenter Prospective Study

Aims Experience during the Covid-19 pandemic suggests that digestive endoscopy (DE) is a potential source of infection for patients and healthcare workers (HCW). The difficult situation in Spain’s hospitals forced the endoscopy units to be almost closed for weeks. Endoscopic scientific societies, like ESGE, published strategies for their re-start; prioritization and Covid-19 screening were two essential conditions.

Analyze the incidence and effects of Covid-19 transmission in patients undergoing DE and HCW during the endoscopic activity reestablishment in 3 centers in Girona’s area of health care.

Methods Prospective multicentric study with consecutive collection of elective DE during the reintroduction of endoscopic activity with previous Covid-19 PCR performed. Clinical data from patients and HCW are documented, as well as from the examination. Telephone questionnaire is done two weeks after the DE and an interview to the HCW.

Results 338 procedures were collected in 306 patients (mean age 60.63 years). Previous PCR done in 305 patients, being negative in 96.72 %.

A total of 224 patients (73.2 %) were contacted, 34 (15.18 %) explained compatible symptoms, with fever being the most reported (3.13 %). 4.46 % had needed medical consultation, non of them requiring admission or treatment. 18 (8.04 %) underwent another Covid-19 test, being 94.44 % negative.

A questionnaire was administered to 39 HCW (mean age 41.33 years). 92.31 % used PPE and 76.92 % used a surgical mask and FFP2 simultaneously. 4 (10.26 %) reported symptoms. 92.31 % of them had previously been tested for Covid-19; serological test in 25 (69.44 %) being negative in 92 %, and in 11 the PCR test being negative in 90.91 %.

Conclusions Although performing a second PCR test was extremely difficult due to low availability, our study could suggests that with protection measures implementation, there is a low incidence of infection and/or symptoms suggestive of covid-19 in patients who undergo DE and HCW assigned to the endoscopy area.

Citation Albert M, Oliveras B, Perpinyà J et al. eP485 CLINICAL FOLLOW-UP ON COVID-19 INFECTION IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPY: A MULTICENTER PROSPECTIVE STUDY. Endoscopy 2021; 53: S257.

Publication History

Article published online:
19 March 2021