Use of sedation for routine diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: a European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Survey of National Endoscopy Society Members.
OBJECTIVE
Sedation rates may vary among countries, depending on patients' and endoscopists' preferences. The aim of this survey was to investigate the rate of using premedication for routine diagnostic upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy in endoscopy societies, members of the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE).


METHODS
We evaluated a multiple-choice questionnaire which was e-mailed to representatives of national endoscopy societies, which are members of the ESGE. The questionnaire had 14 items referring to endoscopy practices in each country and the representatives' endoscopy units.


RESULTS
The response rate was 76% (34/45). In 47% of the countries, less than 25% of patients undergo routine diagnostic UGI endoscopy with conscious sedation. In 62% of the responders' endoscopy units, patients are not asked their preference for sedation and do not sign a consent form (59%). Common sedatives in use are midazolam (82%), diazepam (38%) or propofol (47%). Monitoring equipment is not available 'in most of the endoscopy units' in 46% (13/28) of the countries. Though they were available in 91% of the national representatives' endoscopy units, they are rarely (21%) used to monitor unsedated routine diagnostic UGI endoscopy.


CONCLUSIONS
In about 50% of ESGE-related countries, less than 25% of patients are sedated for routine diagnostic UGI endoscopy. Major issues to improve include availability of monitoring equipment and the use of a consent form.
Ladas
S D
SD
European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Munich, Germany. sdladas@hol.gr
Aabakken
L
L
Rey
J-F
JF
Nowak
A
A
Zakaria
S
S
Adamonis
K
K
Amrani
N
N
Bergman
J J G H M
JJ
Boix Valverde
J
J
Boyacioglu
S
S
Cremers
I
I
Crowe
J
J
Deprez
P
P
Díte
P
P
Eisen
M
M
Eliakim
R
R
Fedorov
E D
ED
Galkova
Z
Z
Gyokeres
T
T
Heuss
L T
LT
Husic-Selimovic
A
A
Khediri
F
F
Kuznetsov
K
K
Marek
T
T
Munoz-Navas
M
M
Napoleon
B
B
Niemela
S
S
Pascu
O
O
Perisic
N
N
Pulanic
R
R
Ricci
E
E
Schreiber
F
F
Svendsen
L B
LB
Sweidan
W
W
Sylvan
A
A
Teague
R
R
Tryfonos
M
M
Urbain
D
D
Weber
J
J
Zavoral
M
M
D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D012955:Societies, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives