Are patients’ sedation preferences at gastroscopy influenced by preceding patients’ decisions?

Summary Background : When patients choose sedation or no sedation for gastroscopy, it is unknown whether the decision and experience of preceding patients on the same endoscopy list influence such decisions. Aim : To address this question in an endoscopy unit, where pre‐ and postprocedure patients are free to communicate. Methods : The order and sedation decisions of 503 out‐patients attending diagnostic gastroscopy lists were analysed. One hundred patients completed a preprocedural questionnaire about sedation preferences. Results : Three hundred and fifteen (63%) patients chose no sedation. Men were more likely to be unsedated, 170 (72%), than women 158 (59%) (χ2 = 9.1, P