Impact of Colonoscopy on Patients’ Work Productivity

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.