1214 A Combined Approach to Prioritise Patients for Colonoscopy

Abstract

Aim: Correlating colonoscopy finding with presenting features to assess the diagnostic yield of different symptoms. Method: We looked at findings of 100 patients retrospectively who had colonoscopy in Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh during first peak of COVID (August 2020 to December 2020). We reviewed NICE guideline for high-risk symptoms and NHS guideline for prioritisation of colonoscopy patients. Results: 100 cases were reviewed, 67% were male among the patients, average age was 42.11 (4 - 75 years). 47 were found to have significant pathology. Findings included colorectal malignancy (28%), Polyp (9%), IBD (6%), tuberculosis (2%) etc. PR bleed had highest diagnostic yield (21.27%), followed by abdominal lump (17.02%) and lower abdominal pain (14.89%). Weight loss showed lowest diagnostic yield (4.25%). 28% colonoscopy findings were normal. Patients were chosen based on clinical assessments and imaging results, as stool biochemical marker tests (FIT test, faecal calprotectin) are not available in DMCH. Conclusions: Being an aerosol generating procedure which has a considerable amount of risk of transmitting COVID infection from patient to clinician or vice versa, it is important to triage patients with lower GI symptoms for colonoscopy. In a developing country like Bangladesh, it is essential to make the most reasonable use of limited resources. Symptoms-based triaging systems are poor predictors of clinically significant disease on colonoscopy. Therefore, a more holistic and novel approach needs to be studied and formulated using a combination of symptoms, blood, and stool biomarkers in order to reduce the need for a 'negative' colonoscopy and avoid unnecessary risks.