Propofol sedation during gastrointestinal endoscopy arouses euphoria in a large subset of patients.

Background: Propofol is recommended for sedation in gastrointestinal endoscopy (GE), but preliminary data suggest addictive potentials.

Objective: The objective of this article is to evaluate the frequency of predominantly euphoric reaction after GE and patients' subsequent reminiscences.

Methods: Eighty-two patients undergoing elective GE under propofol sedation were enrolled in a prospective observational study. The grade of anxiety, expectation or relief about the examination's result and affective state in terms of cheerfulness, relaxation, activation, sedation and anxiety were surveyed using a numeric rating scale (1 to 10) immediately before (t1), after GE (t2) and seven days (t3) later. Statistics: hierarchical cluster analysis, heat map, χ2 test and paired test.

Results: Mean propofol dosage was 264 ± 120 mg. Two clusters of mood changes emerged (t1 vs. t2). One ( = 46, 56.1%) was characterized by an unease reaction pattern with equal values regarding cheerfulness, relaxation and anxiety, while relaxation decreased; the other cluster showed a euphoric reaction pattern ( = 36, 43.9%) with markedly increased cheerfulness, relaxation and decreased anxiety. These effects intensified at recall (t3). Despite similar endoscopy results, euphoric cluster patients rated these more positively.

Conclusion: Propofol induces euphoria in nearly half of the patients undergoing elective GE with persisting, even enhanced reminiscence (germanctr.de, trial number DRKS00011202).