Effects of SARS-CoV-2 emergency measures on high-risk lesions detection: a multicentre cross-sectional study

COVID-19 pandemic enforced the interruption of routine endoscopic examinations raising the issue of potential delays in the diagnosis of high-risk lesions. We conducted a multicentre study to assess the decrease of GI and pancreato-biliary high-risk lesions detection consequent to the reduction of the endoscopic activity. The lockdown period was compared to the equivalent timeframe of the previous 3 years. Endoscopic procedures decreased by 72.9% (elective 72.4% and urgent 51.3%); the overall cases of high-grade dysplasia/cancers decreased by 59.1% (23.4% pancreato-biliary cancers; 70.6% and 68.8% upper and lower GI lesions). The postemergency period should aim at limiting high-risk lesions delayed diagnoses.