1. The EPAGE guidelines are not an effective strategy for managing colonoscopies during the COVID-19 pandemic☆
- Author
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Lorena Rodríguez-Alonso, Francisco Rodríguez-Moranta, Sandra Maisterra, Josep M. Botargues, Ana Berrozpe, Alexandra Ruíz-Cerulla, Gerard Suris, Blau Camps, Joan B. Gornals, and Jordi Guardiola
- Subjects
Immunologic faecal occult blood test ,Prioritization ,Test de sangre oculta en heces ,Priorización ,EPAGE ,Original Article ,EPAGE guidelines ,Colonoscopia ,General Medicine ,Colonoscopy ,Suitability ,Adecuación - Abstract
Introduction The pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has had a serious impact on the functioning of gastrointestinal endoscopy Units. The Asociación Española de Gastroenterología [Spanish Association of Gastroenterology] (AEG) and the Sociedad Española de Endoscopia Digestiva [Spanish Association of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy] (SEED) have proposed the EPAGE guidelines for managing postponed colonoscopies. Objective To evaluate the EPAGE guidelines as a management tool compared to the immunologic faecal occult blood test (iFOBT) and compared to risk score (RS) that combines age, sex and the iFOBT for the detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) and significant bowel disease (SBD). Methods A prospective, single-centre study enrolling 743 symptomatic patients referred for a diagnostic colonoscopy. Each order was classified according to the EPAGE guidelines as appropriate, indeterminate or inappropriate. Patients underwent an iFOBT and had their RS calculated. Results The iFOBT (P
- Published
- 2022