Review
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World J Gastrointest Endosc. Jun 16, 2014; 6(6): 227-233
Published online Jun 16, 2014. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v6.i6.227
Colonoscopy, pain and fears: Is it an indissoluble trinomial?
Lucio Trevisani, Angelo Zelante, Sergio Sartori
Lucio Trevisani, Angelo Zelante, Sergio Sartori, Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Department of Medicine, University Hospital “S. Anna”, 44124 Cona (FE), Italy
Author contributions: Trevisani L and Zelante A wrote the paper; Sartori S critically revised the paper.
Correspondence to: Lucio Trevisani, MD, Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Department of Medicine, University Hospital “S. Anna”, Via A. Moro 8, 44124 Cona (FE), Italy. tvl@unife.it
Telephone: +39-532-237558 Fax: +39-532-236932
Received: December 11, 2013
Revised: March 11, 2014
Accepted: April 3, 2014
Published online: June 16, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: Colonoscopy can often cause pain associated with embarrassment, anxiety, and physical and emotional discomfort. Control of discomfort and pain during colonoscopy is considered to be a high priority by patients. This review of the literature encompasses the main methods for reducing pain and anxiety, to break the trinomial colonoscopy, pain and fear.