Clin Endosc.  2023 May;56(3):268-282. 10.5946/ce.2022.270.

Sex/gender differences in gastrointestinal endoscopy from the perspective of patients and gastroenterologists

• Kim N

• KMID: 2542452
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5946/ce.2022.270

Abstract

The sex/gender of gastroenterologists impact patients’ satisfaction, compliance, and clinical outcomes. For instance, female gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopist–patient gender concordance improves health-related outcomes. This finding suggests that it is important to increase the number of female GI endoscopists. While the number of women in the field of gastroenterology is increasing in the United States and Korea by over 28.3%, it is not enough to account for the gender preferences of female patients. GI endoscopists are at a high risk of endoscopy-related injuries. However, there is a different distribution of muscle and fat; male endoscopists are more affected in their back, while females are more affected in the upper extremities. Women are more susceptible to endoscopy-related injuries than men. There is a correlation between the number of colonoscopies performed and musculoskeletal pain. Job satisfaction is lower in young female gastroenterologists (30’ and 40’) than in the opposite gender and other ages. Thus, it is important to address these issues in the development of GI endoscopy.

Keyword

Burnout; Endoscopy; Gastroenterology; Gender; Sex

Figure

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  Fig. 1. (A) Location of self-reported upper extremity endoscopy-related injury (ERI). (B) Location of self-reported back/neck and lower extremity ERI. Adapted from Pawa et al. Am J Gastroenterol 2021;116:530–538, with permission from Wolters Kluwer Health Inc.15

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  Fig. 2. Musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal (GI), and mental symptoms depending on age and sex. (A) Musculoskeletal pain score. (B) Correlation between the number of colonoscopy and musculoskeletal pain. (C) GI symptoms. (D) Mental symptoms. Adapted from Jang et al. Dig Dis Sci 2020;65:86–95, with permission from Springer Nature.17

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  Fig. 3. Maslach Burnout Inventory scores according to age and sex among Korean gastroenterologists for emotional exhaustion (A), depersonalization (B), and personal accomplishment (C) domains. Adapted from Jang et al. Dig Dis Sci 2020;65:86–95, with permission from Springer Nature.17

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  Fig. 4. Job satisfaction among Korean gastroenterologists and reselection job rates if they had a chance to select their job again. (A) Job satisfaction. (B) Possible reselection rate of the profession of doctor. (C) Possible reseclection rate of the profession of gastroenterologist. M, man; W, woman. Adapted from Jang et al. Dig Dis Sci 2020;65:86–95, with permission from Springer Nature.17

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  Fig. 5. Overall burnout. For the five randomized controlled trials and nine cohort studies reporting differences in overall burnout, the pooled mean difference estimate was a significant absolute reduction from 54% to 44% (difference, 10%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5–14; p<0.001; I2=15%). RCT, randomized controlled therapy. Adapted from West et al. Lancet 2016;388:2272–2281, with permission from Elsevier.18

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