Original Paper

Use of Sedation for Routine Diagnostic Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: A European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Survey of National Endoscopy Society Members
S.D. Ladas, L. Aabakken, J.-F. Rey, A. Nowak, S. Zakaria, K. Adamonis, N. Amrani, J.J.G.H.M. Bergman, J. Boix Valverde, S. Boyacioglu, I. Cremers, J. Crowe, P. Deprez, P. Díte, M. Eisen, R. Eliakim, E.D. Fedorov, Z. Galkova, T. Gyokeres, L.T. Heuss, A. Husic-Selimovic, F. Khediri, K. Kuznetsov, T. Marek, M. Munoz-Navas, B. Napoleon, S. Niemela, O. Pascu, N. Perisic, R. Pulanic, E. Ricci, F. Schreiber, L.B. Svendsen, W. Sweidan, A. Sylvan, R. Teague, M. Tryfonos, D. Urbain, J. Weber, M. Zavoral

European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Munich, Germany

Address of Corresponding Author

Digestion 2006;74:69-77 (DOI: 10.1159/000097466)

  Key Words

• Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy
• Sedated gastroscopy
• Propofol
• Midazolam

  Abstract

Background/Aims: Sedation rates may vary among countries, depending on patients' and endoscopists' preferences. The aim of this survey was to investigate the rate of using premedication for routine diagnostic upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy in endoscopy societies, members of the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE). Methods: We evaluated a multiple-choice questionnaire which was e-mailed to representatives of national endoscopy societies, which are members of the ESGE. The questionnaire had 14 items referring to endoscopy practices in each country and the representatives' endoscopy units. Results: The response rate was 76% (34/45). In 47% of the countries, less than 25% of patients undergo routine diagnostic UGI endoscopy with conscious sedation. In 62% of the responders' endoscopy units, patients are not asked their preference for sedation and do not sign a consent form (59%). Common sedatives in use are midazolam (82%), diazepam (38%) or propofol (47%). Monitoring equipment is not available 'in most of the endoscopy units' in 46% (13/28) of the countries. Though they were available in 91% of the national representatives' endoscopy units, they are rarely (21%) used to monitor unsedated routine diagnostic UGI endoscopy. Conclusions: In about 50% of ESGE-related countries, less than 25% of patients are sedated for routine diagnostic UGI endoscopy. Major issues to improve include availability of monitoring equipment and the use of a consent form.

Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Prof. Spiros D. Ladas, MD
23 Sisini Street
GR-11528 Athens (Greece)
Tel. +30 210 532 6442, Fax +30 210 532 6422
E-Mail sdladas@hol.gr

  Article Information

Received: July 17, 2006
Accepted: September 11, 2006
Published online: November 27, 2006
Number of Print Pages : 9
Number of Figures : 5, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 27