Colonoscopy adverse events: are we getting the full picture?

Introduction Colonoscopy adverse events (AEs) are commonly underreported and standardised reporting is rarely used. We aimed to investigate AEs associated with colonoscopy in a real world setting, using the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) lexicon. Methods This retrospective cohort study of AEs related to outpatient colonoscopies performed in the North Denmark Region from 2015 to 2018 identified AEs from readmission within eight days or death within 30 days of colonoscopy. AEs were investigated in electronic health records and categorised, attributed and graded according to the ASGE lexicon. Results Of 49,445 colonoscopies performed, 1141 were potentially associated with AEs (23.07 parts per thousand). Electronic health record review left 489 AEs attributed to colonoscopy (9.9 parts per thousand); categorised as cardiovascular (0.65 parts per thousand), pulmonary (0.36 parts per thousand), thromboembolic (0.10 parts per thousand), instrumental incl. perforations (0.99 parts per thousand), bleeding (3.07 parts per thousand), infection (0.87 parts per thousand), drug reactions (0.04 parts per thousand), pain (2.00 parts per thousand), integument (damage to skin/bones) (0.34 parts per thousand) and other (1.62 parts per thousand) AEs. Ten (0.20 parts per thousand) AEs were fatal, but only one was procedure related (perforation). All shearing force perforations occurred in the sigmoid colon. Most polypectomy perforations occurred in the caecum (60%). Conclusions Colonoscopy carries important procedure and non-procedure related risks. Non-procedure related AEs are likely underreported. Better attention to patients with pre-existing diseases and further colonoscopist training may lower AE rates. A standardised colonoscopy AE reporting system is warranted.