The Efficacy and Safety of Performing Colonoscopy in Patients 80 Years of Age and Older / 대한소화기내시경학회지

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 > or =80 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<0.001), 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.