Background/Aims: The recovery room used after endoscopy has limited capacity, and an efficient flow of the endoscopy unit is desired. We investigated the duration of hospital stay after endoscopy and the risk factors for prolonged hospital stay among outpatients. Methods: We retrospectively studied consecutive patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy or colonoscopy at the Toyoshima Endoscopy Clinic. We collected data on age, sex, body weight, midazolam and pethidine dosage, respiratory depression during endoscopy, and duration of hospital stay after endoscopy (scope out to check out). Risk factors for prolonged hospital stay (>100 minutes) were identified using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: We enrolled 3,898 patients, including 3,517 (90.2%) patients tested under sedation and 381 (9.8%) patients tested without sedation. Overall, 442 (11.3%) patients had prolonged stay (>100 min). The mean time difference between sedation group and non-sedation group was 44.2 minutes for esophagogastroduodenoscopy and 39.1 minutes for colonoscopy. Age (odds ratio [OR], 1.025; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.014−1.036), female sex (OR, 1.657; 95% CI, 1.220−2.249), and midazolam dose (OR, 1.019; 95% CI, 1.013−1.026) were independently associated with prolonged hospital stay after esophagogastroduodenoscopy, with similar results for colonoscopy. Conclusions Old age, female sex, and midazolam dose were independent risk factors for prolonged hospital stay after endoscopy.

Many differentiated and undifferentiated gastric cancers are associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. Therefore, as a primary prevention method, the early diagnosis of H. pylori gastritis and eradication of these bacteria can prevent gastric cancer. As a secondary prevention method, the early diagnosis of gastric cancer and endoscopic treatment can also contribute to reducing overall mortality. Gastric mucosal atrophy and intestinal metaplasia are important findings in patients with H. pylori gastritis. The accurate diagnosis of other characteristic findings is also important to comprehensively assess gastric cancer risk. The identification of precancerous lesions and early gastric cancer by evaluating endoscopic gastric cancer risk scores, based on the Kyoto classification of gastritis, is similarly important. Recently, endoscopic image evaluation systems equipped with artificial intelligence have been developed to complement the diagnostic abilities of individual endoscopists and reduce interobserver variability; future developments in this area are highly anticipated.

Many differentiated and undifferentiated gastric cancers are associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. Therefore, as a primary prevention method, the early diagnosis of H. pylori gastritis and eradication of these bacteria can prevent gastric cancer. As a secondary prevention method, the early diagnosis of gastric cancer and endoscopic treatment can also contribute to reducing overall mortality. Gastric mucosal atrophy and intestinal metaplasia are important findings in patients with H. pylori gastritis. The accurate diagnosis of other characteristic findings is also important to comprehensively assess gastric cancer risk. The identification of precancerous lesions and early gastric cancer by evaluating endoscopic gastric cancer risk scores, based on the Kyoto classification of gastritis, is similarly important. Recently, endoscopic image evaluation systems equipped with artificial intelligence have been developed to complement the diagnostic abilities of individual endoscopists and reduce interobserver variability; future developments in this area are highly anticipated.

Many differentiated and undifferentiated gastric cancers are associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. Therefore, as a primary prevention method, the early diagnosis of H. pylori gastritis and eradication of these bacteria can prevent gastric cancer. As a secondary prevention method, the early diagnosis of gastric cancer and endoscopic treatment can also contribute to reducing overall mortality. Gastric mucosal atrophy and intestinal metaplasia are important findings in patients with H. pylori gastritis. The accurate diagnosis of other characteristic findings is also important to comprehensively assess gastric cancer risk. The identification of precancerous lesions and early gastric cancer by evaluating endoscopic gastric cancer risk scores, based on the Kyoto classification of gastritis, is similarly important. Recently, endoscopic image evaluation systems equipped with artificial intelligence have been developed to complement the diagnostic abilities of individual endoscopists and reduce interobserver variability; future developments in this area are highly anticipated.

Many differentiated and undifferentiated gastric cancers are associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. Therefore, as a primary prevention method, the early diagnosis of H. pylori gastritis and eradication of these bacteria can prevent gastric cancer. As a secondary prevention method, the early diagnosis of gastric cancer and endoscopic treatment can also contribute to reducing overall mortality. Gastric mucosal atrophy and intestinal metaplasia are important findings in patients with H. pylori gastritis. The accurate diagnosis of other characteristic findings is also important to comprehensively assess gastric cancer risk. The identification of precancerous lesions and early gastric cancer by evaluating endoscopic gastric cancer risk scores, based on the Kyoto classification of gastritis, is similarly important. Recently, endoscopic image evaluation systems equipped with artificial intelligence have been developed to complement the diagnostic abilities of individual endoscopists and reduce interobserver variability; future developments in this area are highly anticipated.

Many differentiated and undifferentiated gastric cancers are associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. Therefore, as a primary prevention method, the early diagnosis of H. pylori gastritis and eradication of these bacteria can prevent gastric cancer. As a secondary prevention method, the early diagnosis of gastric cancer and endoscopic treatment can also contribute to reducing overall mortality. Gastric mucosal atrophy and intestinal metaplasia are important findings in patients with H. pylori gastritis. The accurate diagnosis of other characteristic findings is also important to comprehensively assess gastric cancer risk. The identification of precancerous lesions and early gastric cancer by evaluating endoscopic gastric cancer risk scores, based on the Kyoto classification of gastritis, is similarly important. Recently, endoscopic image evaluation systems equipped with artificial intelligence have been developed to complement the diagnostic abilities of individual endoscopists and reduce interobserver variability; future developments in this area are highly anticipated.