7169 Tolerance and satisfaction of patients undergoing eus.

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Background: EUS has become an accepted modality for the evaluation of the upper GI tract. However, little is known on patient satisfaction with EUS. Aim: To assess patient satisfaction and tolerance with EUS. Methods: Thirty consecutive pts agreed on filling a questionnaire in conjunction with EUS. Patient acceptance of EUS was evaluated by a questionnaire 24 hr to 4 weeks after EUS. The questionnaire included pre-EUS anxiety, pt's assessment of gagging, pain and discomfort, recollection of the EUS, overall difficulty and willingness to repeat EUS. Two assisting RNs judged the pt's discomfort during the EUS. After an overnight fasting, Olympus GF UM 130 and UC 30 P linear echoendoscopes were used to perform the procedures. Medications used for conscious sedation are summarized in table 1. Results: There were 14 males and 16 females (mean age 57 yrs, range 34- 87 yrs). Of the EUS performed, 6 were esophageal, 7 gastroduodenal and 17 pancreaticobiliary. Nine FNAs were done. No complications were associated with the EUS exams. Forty % of pts had moderate anxiety and an equal number had no anxiety prior to EUS. Nine pts (30%) were on narcotics for pain control. Under conscious sedation, 87% of pts remembered as having none to minimal gagging,10% had moderate gagging. Two pts (7%) remembered significant pain or discomfort during the EUS. Nineteen pts (63%) had no recollection of the test, 10 pts (33 %) had minimal recollection of the test. The willingness to repeat the test under the same level of conscious sedation was 97%. There was no effect of pretest anxiety on willingness to repeat the EUS. Conclusions: EUS under conscious sedation is a procedure with a low risk of complications that is well accepted and tolerated by patients despite moderate pre-procedure anxiety. Nonetheless, the vast majority of pts were willing to repeat EUS if clinically indicated. Efforts must be made to reduce pre-procedure anxiety through assurance and patient education prior to EUS. Table 1. Medications used for conscious sedation Patient Average dose Range Drugs (n) (mg) (mg) Midazolam 30 6.5 4-13 Meperidine 29 75 25-150 Morphine 1 4 4 Droperidol 6 2.3 1.25-2.5