Feasibility of colonoscopy in patients 80 years of age and older

In Japan, studies on the use of colonoscopy in the elderly population are few. This study evaluated tolerance and diagnostic yield of colonoscopy in elderly patients.

We prospectively studied 515 consecutive colonoscopies performed over a 23-month period. A total of 110 patients 80 years of age or older who underwent colonoscopy from May 2003 to March 2005 were studied. We analyzed the following factors: indications for colonoscopy, endoscopic findings, total colonoscopy rates, and complications.

Of the 515 procedures performed, 405 (78.6%) in patients less than 80 years of age (265 men, 140 women; median age 64 years, range 18-79 years), and 110 (21.4%) were in patients aged 80 years or older (62 men, 48 women; median age 83 years, range 80-94 years). The percentage of positive fecal occult blood test in younger patient group is high, and rectal bleeding is frequent in older patient group. There was a significantly higher frequency of colorectal cancer in the elder patients (p=0.04). There was no significant difference in total colonoscopy completion rate between the two groups. Two patients in younger group had delayed bleeding, and post-polypectomy bleeding occurred in one patient in elder group.

Colonoscopy in patients 80 or more years of age is safe, effective, and has a high diagnostic yield.