Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gastrointestinal endoscopy activity in France

Abstract

Background The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has majorly affected medical activity around the world. We sought to measure the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy activity in France. Methods We performed a web-based survey, including 35 questions on the responders and their endoscopic practice, from 23 March to 27 March 2020, sent to the 3300 French gastroenterologists practicing endoscopy. Results 694 GI endoscopists (21%) provided analyzable data; of these, 29.4% (204/694) were involved in the management of COVID-19 patients outside the endoscopy department. During the study period, 98.7% (685/694) of endoscopists had had to cancel procedures. There were 89 gastroenterologists (12.8%) who reported symptoms compatible with COVID-19 infection, and a positive PCR test was recorded in 12/197 (6.1%) vs. 3/497 (0.6%) endoscopists in the high vs. low prevalence areas, respectively (P <0.001). Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic led to a major reduction in the volume of GI endoscopies performed in France in March 2020.The prolonged limited access to GI endoscopy could lead to a delay in the management of patients with GI cancers.