Assessment of Cognitive and Functional Impairment in Older Patients After ERCP

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an interventional endoscopy procedure utilized in the therapeutic management of pancreatobiliary diseases including gallstones, bile duct strictures, leaks and infections, pancreatitis, and cancers of the bile duct or pancreas. ERCP is classified as a high risk procedure. Potential adverse events directly attributable to the technical aspects of ERCP include pancreatitis, hemorrhage, infection, and bowel wall perforation. Other potential adverse events of ERCP may be less apparent and/or unknown, such as risk of neurocognitive dysfunction. Overall, neurocognitive dysfunction after medical procedures impacts quality of life, functional disability, depression, and caregiver and societal burden.

The prevalence of postoperative neurocognitive dysfunction and disability following interventional endoscopy procedures such as ERCP has not been reported. This prospective observational study is designed to assess the prevalence of cognitive impairment and functional disability after ERCP and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) procedures in older patients, and to assess whether specific patient and/or procedural factors are associated with increased risk of adverse outcomes.