[Patient opinions after colonoscopy. Results of a cross sectional, multicenter ANGH study (2)]

The aims of this study were to evaluate patient opinions following colonoscopy and to analyze the role of conditions of practice on patients' opinions.

A study was suggested to all members of the ANGH. During one week of practice, a questionnaire was filled out by the gastroenterologist and a second one by the patient, alone, one day after colonoscopy.

Eighty six hospitals (229 gastroenterologists) took part in the study which included 815 patients; 752 of them (92%) filled out the satisfaction questionnaire. Five hundred and eighty four patients (78%) would accept a new endoscopy in the same conditions; 168 patients (22%) would accept if the conditions were different or would refuse a new endoscopy. The main factors associated with acceptance under the same conditions were: good tolerance (odds-ratio (OR): 5.08), old age (OR: 5), anesthesia (OR: 2.67) or conscious sedation (OR: 2.29), male gender (OR: 2.39) and ambulatory care (OR: 2).

This study of clinical practice underscored the different factors associated with better acceptance of colonoscopy. Individual gastroenterologists could use these data to guide practice.