[Influence of age on sedation for colonoscopy in adults]

To investigate the efficacy and risk of midazolam and propofol for sedation during colonoscopy procedures in adults of different age groups.

A total of 180 patients undergoing colonoscopy were allocated to 3 groups: a young adult group (n=45, 18-44 years), a mid-aged group (n=78,45-64 years) and an elderly group (n=57, 65-80 years). All patients were premedicated with midazolam 0.02-0.03 mg/kg and propofol 0.5-2.5 mg/kg. The pulse rate, arterial pressure, and oxygen saturation for each patient were monitored continuously before, during and after the procedure.

The doses of midazolam and propofol for the young adults were significantly higher than that for the mid-aged and the elderly (P<0.01). Based on the view of gastroenterologists, the satisfied rate of sedation quality was significantly higher in the elderly group than that in the young or the mid-aged group (P<0.01). There were significant changes in the arterial pressure in all groups compared with the baseline level (P<0.01), but there was no significant difference among the 3 groups. Other parameters such as heart rate, saturation of O2, and the rate of severe adverse reaction among the 3 groups were not significantly different (P>0.05).

Higher dose of midazolam and propofol is needed to obtain the sedation quality in young adults. Whereas for the elderly, properly reducing the dose of midazolam and propofol may still keep the sedation quality during colonoscopy procedures.