title: What are the most important factors regarding acceptance to the colonoscopy?: study of related tolerance parameters.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Colonoscopy plays an indubitable role in the setting of clinical practice, however, it is an invasive exam; complex, lengthy, embarrassing, not devoid of risks and discomfort that yields fear and anxiety in the majority of patients. In a new era of rising competition between health institutions, where the quality of health care and client satisfaction are praised, studies regarding tolerance-related colonoscopy issues yield great potential to be explored. In the present study, tolerance is defined as willingness to repeat the exam.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Evaluate information associated to bowel preparation, the exam itself and post-examination period that might interfere with the tolerance to the colonoscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of the tolerance to the colonoscopy at three stages (pre, post, and during) through a checklist: patient's questionnaire and a medical assessment form were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this present study, 91.2% of 373 patients exhibited positive tolerance to the colonoscopy. Aspects related to a negative level of tolerance were patient gender (12.9% of women versus 3.2% of men would not repeat the exam), age extremes (less than 20 years and greater than 80 years of age), and abdominal pain, both during the bowel preparation and after the procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gender, age, patient cooperation and abdominal pain were the decisive components regarding tolerance to the colonoscopy. Notably, in two phases of the exam, the abdominal pain was the most important feature associated to a lessened tolerance.
authors: Department of Gastroenterology, Clinical Division, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Vivian Mayumi
authors: VM
authors: Ussui
authors: Ana Luiza Werneck da
authors: AL
authors: Silva
authors: Luana Vilarinho
authors: LV
authors: Borges
authors: José Guilherme Nogueira da
authors: JG
authors: Silva
authors: José Murilo Robilotta
authors: JM
authors: Zeitune
authors: Cláudio Lyoiti
authors: CL
authors: Hashimoto
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000523:psychology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires