Prospective comparative study on the acceptability of unsedated transnasal endoscopy in younger versus older patients

Goals: The aim of this prospective study was to compare the acceptance and tolerance for unsedated transnasal esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) between younger and older patients. Background: Little information is available on comparisons of younger and older patients with regard to acceptance and tolerance of transnasal EGD. Study: A total of 260 patients were referred for unsedated transnasal EGD and divided into 2 groups according to their age: less than 60 years of age (group A, n=160) and 60 years of age and older (group B, n=100). A questionnaire for tolerance was completed by each patient (a validated 0 to 10 scale where "0" represents no discomfort/well tolerated and "10" represents severe discomfort/poorly tolerated). Results: In 94.4% of group A and 95.0% of group B, insertions were successfully completed (P>0.05). Between groups A and B, discomfort during nasal anesthesia (1.7±0.2 vs. 1.6±0.2) and overall tolerance during procedure (1.7±0.2 vs. 1.5±0.2) were similar (P>0.05). However, discomfort during insertion was significantly greater in group A than in group B (2.5±0.2 vs. 1.9±0.2, P=0.02). Of all, 97.4% of group A and 94.7% of group B were willing to undergo unsedated transnasal EGD in the future (P>0.05). Conclusions: There was no significant difference in acceptability between younger and older patients for unsedated transnasal EGD. Otherwise, younger patients experienced significantly more discomfort during insertion than did older patients.