Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

The Korean Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (대한소아소화기영양학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: A Questionnaire-based Internet Survey of 162 Institutional Experiences in Asia Pacific

  • Andy Darma (Department of Child Health, Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital) ;
  • Katsuhiro Arai (Division of Gastroenterology, National Center for Child Health and Development) ;
  • Jia-feng Wu (Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital) ;
  • Nuthapong Ukarapol (Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University) ;
  • Shin-ichiro Hagiwara (Department of Gastroenterology, Nutrition and Endocrinology, Osaka Women's and Children's Hospital) ;
  • Seak Hee Oh (Departments of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Suporn Treepongkaruna (Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University) ;
  • Endoscopy Subcommittee of the Scientific Committee Asian Pan-Pacific Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Nutrition (APPSPGHAN) (Asian Pan-Pacific Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, and Hepatology and Nutrition (APPSPGHAN))
  • Received : 2023.03.09
  • Accepted : 2023.08.12
  • Published : 2023.11.15
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Purpose: The impact of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) on gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy procedures in adults has been reported, with a drastic reduction in the number of procedures. However, there are no sufficient data regarding the impact on pediatric GI endoscopy. Here, we aimed to report that impact in the Asia-Pacific region. Methods: A questionnaire-based internet survey was conducted from June to November 2021 among pediatric endoscopy institutions in the Asia-Pacific region, with each institution providing a single response. Overall, 25 questions focused on the impact of the number of procedures conducted, the usage of personal protective equipment (PPE), and endoscopy training programs during the pandemic. Results: A total of 162 institutions across 13 countries in the Asia-Pacific region participated in the study, and 133 (82.1%) institutions underwent procedure changes since the emergence of COVID-19. The number of esophagogastroduodenoscopy and ileocolonoscopy procedures decreased in 118/133 (88.7%) and 112/133 (84.2%) institutions, respectively. Endoscopy for patient with positive COVID-19 in an emergency or urgent cases still carried out in 102/162 (62.9%) institutions. Screening of COVID-19 for all patients before endoscopy was done across 110/162 (67.9%) institutions. PPE recommendations varied among institutions. Pediatric gastrointestinal endoscopy training programs were discontinued in 127/162 (78.4%) institutions. Conclusion: This study reports the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric gastrointestinal endoscopy in the Asia-Pacific region. There has been a significant reduction in the number of endoscopic procedures and relevant training programs.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

All pediatric gastrointestinal endoscopy centers that are members of the Asian Pan-Pacific Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (APPSPGHAN) contributed to this study.

References

  1. WHO. WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID19 [Internet]. WHO; 2020 [cited 2022 Mar 10] Available from: https://www.who.int/director-general/speeches/detail/whodirector-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-covid-19. 11-march-2020
  2. Ruan W, Fishman DS, Lerner DG, Engevik MA, Elmunzer BJ, Walsh CM; International Pediatric Endoscopy COVID-19 Alliance. Changes in pediatric endoscopic practice during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: results from an international survey. Gastroenterology 2020;159:1547-50. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2020.05.068
  3. Otani K, Watanabe T, Higashimori A, Suzuki H, Kamiya T, Shiotani A, et al. A questionnaire-based survey on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gastrointestinal endoscopy in Asia. Digestion 2022;103:7-21. https://doi.org/10.1159/000520287
  4. Rana SS. Risk of COVID-19 transmission during gastrointestinal endoscopy. J Dig Endosc 2020;11:27-30. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1712076
  5. Puoti MG, Rybak A, Kiparissi F, Gaynor E, Borrelli O. SARS-CoV-2 and the gastrointestinal tract in children. Front Pediatr 2021;9:617980.
  6. Parasa S, Reddy N, Faigel DO, Repici A, Emura F, Sharma P. Global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on endoscopy: an international survey of 252 centers from 55 countries. Gastroenterology 2020;159:1579-81.e5. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2020.06.009
  7. Alboraie M, Piscoya A, Tran QT, Mendelsohn RB, Butt AS, Lenz L, et al. The global impact of COVID-19 on gastrointestinal endoscopy units: an international survey of endoscopists. Arab J Gastroenterol 2020;21:156-61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajg.2020.08.008
  8. Forbes N, Smith ZL, Spitzer RL, Keswani RN, Wani SB, Elmunzer BJ, et al. Changes in gastroenterology and endoscopy practices in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: results from a north american survey. Gastroenterology 2020;159:772-4.e13. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2020.04.071
  9. Tam SS, Picoraro JA, Gupta SK, Oliva S, Furlano RI, Walsh CM, et al. Changes to pediatric gastroenterology practice during the COVID-19 pandemic and lessons learned: an international survey of division and group heads. Gastroenterology 2021;161:1052-5. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2021.02.064
  10. Lee SW, Kang B, Choi S, Choe BH, Kim YB, Lee KJ, et al. The changes in trends of lower gastrointestinal endoscopy conducted in children and adolescents after the COVID-19 outbreak in Korea. Medicina (Kaunas) 2022;58:1378.
  11. Renzo S, Scarallo L, Antoniello LM, Bramuzzo M, Chiaro A, Cisaro F, et al. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric endoscopy: a multicenter study on behalf of the SIGENP Endoscopy Working Group. Dig Liver Dis 2022;54:572-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dld.2022.02.010
  12. Blanchard S, Moyer S, Puppa EL, Aktay S. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric endoscopies in a single center. Am J Gastroenterol 2021;116:1407.
  13. Moyer S, Aktay S, Blanchard S. The COVID-19 pandemic impact on pediatric endoscopies in a single center. Glob Pediatr Heal 2022;9:2333794X221100948.
  14. Ruan W, Fishman DS, Lerner DG, Furlano RI, Thomson M, Walsh CM. Evolution of international pediatric endoscopic practice changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gastrointest Endosc 2022;74:e138-42. https://doi.org/10.1097/MPG.0000000000003416
  15. Walsh CM, Fishman DS, Lerner DG; NASPGHAN Endoscopy and Procedures Committee. Pediatric endoscopy in the era of coronavirus disease 2019: a North American Society for Pediatric. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2020;70:741-50.
  16. Homan M, Athiana I, Bontems P, Dall'Oglio L, Dias JA, Furlano R, et al. Gastrointestinal endoscopy in children and COVID 19 pandemic-ESPGHAN endoscopy SIG statement [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2023 Jun 14]. Available from: http://www.spgp.pt/media/1199/espghan_gi_endoscopy_and_covid_19_pandemic.pdf
  17. Athiana I, Legeret C, Bontems P, Dall'Oglio L, De Angelis P, Dias JA, et al. Significant variations across European centres in implementing recommended guidelines for the paediatric gastroenterology endoscopy suite during the COVID-19 pandemic. JPGN Rep 2021;2:e061.
  18. Siau K, Iacucci M, Dunckley P, Penman I; EndoTrain Survey Collaborators. EndoTrain Survey Collaborators. The impact of COVID-19 on gastrointestinal endoscopy training in the United Kingdom. Gastroenterology 2020;159:1582-5.e3. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2020.06.015
  19. Catlow J, Beaton D, Beintaris I, Shaw T, Broughton R, Healey C, et al. JAG/BSG national survey of UK endoscopy services: impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and early restoration of endoscopy services. Frontline Gastroenterol 2020;12:272-8. https://doi.org/10.1136/flgastro-2020-101582