Impact of Colonoscopy on Patients’ Work Productivity

Impact of Colonoscopy on Patients’ Work Productivity

Douglas K. Rex, MD, MASGE, reviewing Fuccio L, et al. Gastrointest Endosc 2021 Dec 8.

The impact of colonoscopy on work productivity was assessed prospectively in 1137 employed patients in 10 Italian centers, utilizing a diary for 7 days after the procedure.

Overall, 30% of patients were unsedated, 5% had deep sedation, and the remainder had moderate sedation during colonoscopy. Among the key findings:

  • Work absenteeism occurred in 5.2% of patients after colonoscopy, with an average of 1.94 days of work lost.
  • GI symptoms after colonoscopy (odds ratio [OR], 4.11) and before colonoscopy (OR, 5.91) were both associated with absenteeism.
  • Underwater versus gas insufflation insertion had no impact on absenteeism. 
  • Eleven percent of patients reported experiencing impaired work performance after colonoscopy.
  • Consuming the full dose of the bowel preparation either the day before or the day of colonoscopy was associated with any work impairment (OR, 1.65) compared with a split dose over 2 days.
  • Patients with more symptoms during bowel preparation (OR, 3.21) or pain during the procedure (OR, 2.47) had more work impairment.
  • Symptoms after colonoscopy were associated with a marked increased risk of impairment.
  • Factors associated with more work impairment were more difficult working hours, such as a night shift, and more severe symptoms before colonoscopy.
  • Factors associated with less impaired work performance included a positive mood before colonoscopy and colonoscopy performed with water filling during insertion.

Douglas K. Rex, MD, FASGE

COMMENT

Fuccio L, Collatuzzo G, Frazzoni L, et al. Impact of colonoscopy on working productivity: a prospective multicenter observational study. Gastrointest Endosc 2021 Dec 8. (Epub ahead of print) (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gie.2021.11.039)

Note to readers: At the time we reviewed this paper, its publisher noted that it was not in final form and that subsequent changes might be made.

CITATION(S)

Fuccio L, Collatuzzo G, Frazzoni L, et al. Impact of colonoscopy on working productivity: a prospective multicenter observational study. Gastrointest Endosc 2021 Dec 8. (Epub ahead of print) (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gie.2021.11.039)

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