Colonoscopy — how difficult, how painful?

Abstract

Colonoscopy is sometimes painful for the patient and often difficult for the endoscopist, but it is hard to predict how difficult or painful the examination will be. The purpose of this study was to identify factors that influence difficulty and pain during colonoscopy.

Some 1,284 consecutive patients undergoing office colonoscopy by three endoscopists were prospectively studied. A standard questionnaire was completed by the nursing staff, who assessed the degree of difficulty and pain associated with each exam on a four-point scale.

There were 682 men and 551 women (sex not recorded in 51). There was no pain in 27%, mild pain in 39%, moderate pain in 25%, and severe pain in 9%. There was no difficulty in 25%, mild difficulty in 33%, moderate difficulty in 28%, and severe difficulty in 14%. Colonoscopy was significantly easier (P<0.001, chi square) and less painful (P<0.001, chi square) in patients after sigmoidectomy. It was more painful after hysterectomy (P<0.05, chi square) and more difficult and painful in women than in men (P<0.01, chi square). There were significant differences between endoscopists in the assessment of pain associated with colonoscopy.

Most colonoscopies are associated with little or no pain (66%) and are easy or only mildly difficult to perform (58%). Patients who have had sigmoid resection are especially easy and painless to examine while women, especially after hysterectomy, are at higher risk of having a painful experience. Colonoscopy technique can influence the amount of pain experienced by the patient.