Timing selection for sedated gastroscopy after SARS-CoV-2 infection: a retrospective cohort study

Sedated gastroscopy poses risks for patients with upper respiratory infections. The optimal timing for performing sedated gastroscopy in patients with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection is uncertain.

We retrospectively collected data from patients who underwent sedated gastroscopy at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University between December 19th 2022 and January 20th 2023. The exposure variable was SARS-CoV-2 infection status, categorized as COVID-19-negative, two weeks post-COVID-19, and three weeks post-COVID-19. The primary outcome was gastroscopy failure, and the secondary outcomes included acute laryngitis, decreased patient satisfaction, and decreased endoscopist satisfaction. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection status and outcomes.

Among the 386 patients included, 98 were COVID-19-negative, 57 were two weeks post-COVID-19, and 231 were three weeks post-COVID-19. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that being two weeks post-COVID-19 significantly increased the risk of gastroscopy failure (adjusted OR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.47-3.46, P < 0.001), acute laryngitis (adjusted OR: 6.21; 95% CI: 3.01-13.04; P < 0.001), and decreased patient satisfaction (adjusted OR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.39-4.02; P < 0.001) compared with COVID-19-negative status. No statistically significant difference was found in postoperative outcomes between three weeks post-COVID-19 and COVID-19-negative status.

Sedated gastroscopy three weeks post-COVID-19 may be safe.