EFFECTS OF CORONAVIRUS DISEASE ON GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPY: ANALYSIS OF THE JAPAN ENDOSCOPY DATABASE PROJECT DATA

Abstract

The coronavirus disease pandemic has significantly affected delivery of medical care in Japan, including gastrointestinal endoscopy services. In this study, we analyzed the data provided to the Japan Endoscopy Database and its effect. Gastrointestinal endoscopy was significantly affected by the initial spread of infection in April 2020; the number of gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures was reduced by nearly 50%. Specifically, upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy and endoscopic treatment of the lower gastrointestinal tract were significantly affected. In contrast, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-related procedures, which are usually performed on an emergency basis and for cancer treatment, were relatively unaffected. However, from May 2020, following gradual recovery from the public health crisis, the number of cases returned to the pre-pandemic level (cases during the previous year until December 2020). Thereafter, the third wave from the end of 2020 to the beginning of 2021, followed by the fourth wave in May 2021, and the fifth wave in August 2021, led to a remarkably large increase in the number of infected patients; however, we did not observe a significant reduction in the number of endoscopic procedures performed, in contrast to the situation in May 2020. From the social viewpoint, the pandemic significantly affected diagnostic evaluation; however, normalcy was rapidly restored owing to the combined efforts of gastrointestinal endoscopists. It will be important to monitor the effects of the pandemic on gastrointestinal endoscopy practice in 2021.