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

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.

Efficacy of a CO2-releasing suppository in dyschezia: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Constipation has a significant impact on quality of life. Aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and the efficacy for relieving dyschezia symptoms of a CO2-releasing suppository in a randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial. METHODS: Fifty-three office-based primary care physicians and 24 gastroenterologists conducted the study in France, between November 2010 and January 2012. Patients (aged 18-75 years) with dyschezia were eligible. Patients were randomly allocated a once-a-day suppository (CO2-releasing suppository or placebo) for 21 days. Primary endpoint was the change, from Day 0 to Day 21, in the intensity of discomfort related to dyschezia based on a self-assessed 0-100 visual analogue scale. RESULTS: A total of 323 patients were randomized, i.e. 166 into the intervention group and 157 into the placebo group. Co-variance analysis showed a greater reduction in discomfort visual analogue scale score in the intervention group (-34.5mm; standard error of the mean: 1.8mm) than in the placebo group (-26.2mm; standard error of the mean: 1.9 mm; p<0.001). The greater efficacy of the CO2-releasing suppository was confirmed for all secondary efficacy parameters. No significant side effects for either treatment were observed. CONCLUSION: A CO2-releasing suppository is more effective than a placebo for the relief of symptoms of dyschezia. This efficacy is associated with a good safety profile.

A low-volume polyethylene glycol plus ascorbate solution for bowel cleansing prior to colonoscopy: the NORMO randomised clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Patient acceptability of the preparation is a key factor in the success of colonoscopy, yet standard polyethylene glycol solutions are poorly tolerated owing to their high volume (4L) and low palatability. This study compared the efficacy, safety and acceptability of a 2L polyethylene glycol+ascorbate solution with a standard 4-L polyethylene glycol solution. METHODS: Adults referred for colonoscopy were randomised to 2-L polyethylene glycol+ascorbate (n=202) or 4-L polyethylene glycol solution (n=198). Colon cleansing success was assessed using the Harefield Cleansing Scale(©) and the Aronchick scale. Safety and acceptability were also assessed. RESULTS: Successful cleansing was achieved in 94.1% and 90.9% of subjects with the 2-L and 4-L solutions respectively using the Harefield Cleansing Scale(©) and 94.6% and 90.0% using the Aronchick scale (non significant). Despite better acceptability and tolerability, no superiority over the standard 4-L preparation was demonstrated. Fewer treatment-related adverse events were reported with the 2-L solution (80.2% versus 89.9%, p=0.011). More subjects were willing to take the 2L PEG+ascorbate solution again (87% versus 51%, p<0.001), found it easier to drink (80% versus 70%, p=0.025), with a better taste (p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Two-litre polyethylene glycol+ascorbate solution, with a similar high degree of cleansing and superior acceptability and tolerability, presents an alternative to 4-L polyethylene glycol when compliance is an issue.