Safety of oesophagogastroduodenoscopy in a nonagenarian population

invasive gastrointestinal (GI) procedures are increasingly performed on much older patients but data regarding oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD) in this population are limited. We compared the indications, safety and benefits of OGD for nonagenarians compared to octogenarians.

an observational retrospective review of patients who underwent OGD between 2013 and 2018 at a gastroenterology institute in one large hospital. Patients aged 90 and above 'nonagenarians' were compared to those aged 80-89 'octogenarians'.

472 patients (231 nonagenarians and 241 octogenarians), median age of 91 for nonagenarians (201 aged 90-94, 30 aged 95 and older) and 82 (174 aged 80-84, 67 aged 85-89) for octogenarians. GI bleeding was a more common and dyspepsia, a less common, indication for nonagenarians compared to octogenarians (55 and 7%, versus 43 and 18%). Significant findings and need for endoscopic treatments were both more commonly found in nonagenarians compared to octogenarians (25 and 24% versus 15 and 8%, respectively). General anaesthesia was more commonly given to nonagenarians (35 versus 10%). Immediate complications and 30-day mortality rate were similar between the groups: (2.6% of nonagenarians versus 1.6% of octogenarians). Of 30 patients aged 95 and older, 13% had late adverse events, compared to 1% of the overall cohort.

OGD appears safe in nonagenarians. Pathological findings and endoscopic interventions are more common. Decisions regarding OGD should not be based on age alone.