Polyp Excision Rates Post-Covid-19: Personal Protective Equipment Does Not Impair Performance

Aims The UK JAG on GI Endoscopy’s minimum standard for polyp detection rates (PDR) in colonoscopy is 15 %. The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated the use of restrictive personal protective equipment (PPE) which might reduce dexterity and decrease PDRs. We audited our polyp excision rates both prior to and post the COVID-19 pandemic in order to assess whether restrictive PPE led to a diminution therein.

Methods Our endoscopy database was queried for all colonoscopies performed between 01/01/2014 and 29/02/2020 (Pre-COVID-19, n = 18,231) and between 01/03/2020 and 02/09/2020 (Post-COVID-19, n = 825) and subsequently irrevocably anonymised.

A polyp excision rate (PER) was calculated for each period as a proxy for PDR. A comparative odds ratio was calculated.

An ordinary least squares (OLS) regression, using number of polyps excised as the dependent variable and procedure in the post-COVID-19 period as a primary explanatory variable, was performed. The regression was controlled for age, male gender and procedure coded as therapeutic (as opposed to diagnostic).

Results 4,346 and 209 patients had at least one polyp excised in the pre-COVID-19 (PER 23.8 %) and post-COVID-19 (PER 25.3 %) periods respectively. Odds ratio 1.08 (95 %CIs: 0.92, 1.27).

OLS regression established positive relationships between number of polyps excised and age (0.004, 95 %CIs: 0.003, 0.005), male gender (0.10, 95 %CIs: 0.07, 0.13) and procedure coded as therapeutic (1.75, 95 %CIs: 1.71, 1.78). It demonstrated no significant relationship between procedure in the post-COVID-19 period (-0.003, 95 %CIs: -0.07, 0.07) and number of polyps excised.

Conclusions Odds ratios comparing PERs and an OLS regression analysing number of polyps excised failed to demonstrate any significant difference between the pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 eras.

Citation Matthews T ¹, Breslin N¹, McNamara D et al. eP114 POLYP EXCISION RATES POST-COVID-19: PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT DOES NOT IMPAIR PERFORMANCE. Endoscopy 2021; 53: S133.

Publication History

Article published online:
19 March 2021