title: Sedation for gastrointestinal endoscopy. Analysis of tolerance and complications.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyse tolerance and complications in patients undergoing a gastrointestinal endoscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred forty three patients were prospectively studied: 44.8% underwent a diagnostic upper endoscopy; 13.3%, a therapeutic upper endoscopy; 37%, a diagnostic colonoscopy and 4.9%, a therapeutic colonoscopy. Midazolam or midazolam combined with meperidine were used. Tolerance, level of sedation and complications were studied. Chis quare and ratio comparison tests were used for the statistical analysis. P-values less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the diagnostic upper endoscopy group, tolerance was better with midazolam plus meperidine vs midazolam only (83.8% and 59.3% respectively); p < 0.05. In the therapeutic upper endoscopy group, tolerance was also better when both drugs were combined; p < 0.05. In the diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy groups, tolerance was good in 63.5% and 85.7% of patients, respectively. Men had better tolerance for upper endoscopy; p < 0.05. Tolerance was worse in patients under 40 years of age for upper endoscopy; p < 0.05. Mild desaturation occur in 27.3% of patients, being more severe in therapeutic procedures; p < 0.05.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tolerance was good in a high percentage of patients, and better in men and in patients older than 40 years of age. The main problem is desaturation, that increases in therapeutic procedures.
authors.affiliation: Endoscopy Unit, Digestive Service, Hospital del Bierzo, León, Spain. cciriza@teleline.es
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ciriza
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Díez
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Delgado
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: San Sebastián
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies