title: Endoscopy in the elderly.
abstract: With increasing age, the incidence of both benign and malignant gastrointestinal (GI) disease rises. Endoscopic procedures are commonly performed in elderly and very elderly patients to diagnose and treat GI disorders. There are a number of issues to contemplate when considering performing an endoscopic procedure in an elderly patient, including the anticipated benefits of endoscopy as well as the increased risks associated with procedural sedation and some endoscopic procedures. This review will focus on the yield and safety of endoscopic procedures in older adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Anne C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Travis
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pievsky
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Saltzman
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D003113:Colonoscopy; D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004066:Digestive System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D019160:Endosonography; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D005773:Gastroscopy; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000209:etiology; D012449:Safety