THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON THE ENDOSCOPY DEPARTMENT IN 2020 FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF A SINGLE JAPANESE INSTITUTION

ABSTRACT

AIM: We aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on endoscopy practices in areas where the number of COVID-19 was still low. METHODS: We compared the number of outpatients endoscopies performed, and cancellations at a Japanese tertiary endoscopy center between 2020 and 2019. In particular, we examined the changes in surveillance lost after endoscopic treatment for early-stage gastric cancer in the stomach. RESULTS: Of 14,146 scheduled examinations, 1233 (8.7%) were canceled or not seen in 2019, and in 2020, 1403 (10.5%) out of the scheduled 13,338 examinations. Both years, age <50 years, age >80 years, upper endoscopy, and experience of endoscopy in the past 5 years were significantly associated with cancelations. In 2020, cancelations in the 14th-26th week of the year, including the period of the state of emergency, increased significantly, and more women canceled. In 2020, 196 first follow-up examinations after endoscopic treatment of gastric cancer were scheduled, but 15 patients (7.7%) did not undergo the examination. This was more frequent than in 2019 (7.7% vs 3.6%, P = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: In 2020, despite low numbers of COVID-19 cases in the area, the number of endoscopies decreased, and cancelation increased. The further research is needed on the future impact of a decrease in the number of endoscopies under a COVID-19 pandemic. (Table Presented).