Categorized: Abstracts & Presentations, Gastroenterology

Same-day Bidirectional Endoscopy: Patients or Practice?

A subset of patients undergo both EGD and colonoscopy on the same day (bidirectional endoscopy or BDE). Although no clear guidelines exist, same-day bidirectional endoscopy has been recommended for patients with anemia or positive fecal occult blood test (FOBT). In a recent study (Urquhart et al, 2009) bidirectional endoscopy revealed important pathology in patients with anemia or positive FOBT. Patients with pain had a lower prevalence of serious findings compared to the other groups studied. It was concluded that the benefits of BDE in patients with pain are uncertain and require additional investigation.

View the poster here.