Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gastrointestinal endoscopy in the Netherlands: Analysis of a prospective endoscopy database

Background: COVID-19 has dramatically affected gastrointestinal endoscopy practice. We aimed to investigate its impact on procedure types, indications, and findings. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed endoscopies performed in 15 Dutch hospitals by comparing periods 15 March to 25 June of 2019 and 2020 using the prospective Trans.IT database. Results: During lockdown in 2020, 9776 patients underwent endoscopy compared with 19296 in 2019. Gastroscopies decreased by 57% (from 7846 to 4467) and colonoscopies by 45% (from 12219 to 5609), whereas endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography volu... Mehr ...