Table 3 Principal risk factors for iatrogenic colonoscopy perforations (ICP)

Increasing age (> 65 years)

[18, 23, 26, 27, 36]

Female gender

[18, 28, 29, 36]

Low BMI

[28, 29]

Low albumin level

[20, 23, 26, 28]

Presence of comorbidities

[18, 36]

Crohn’s disease and diverticulosis

[16, 18, 20, 23, 26, 28]

Admission in ICU

[20, 23, 26, 28]

Endoscopist’s experience

[18, 29, 31,32,33]

Non-gastroenterologist endoscopists

[31, 33]

Low volume centers

[31, 33]

Previous abdominal surgery

[16, 36]

Colonic obstruction

[16, 18]

Bevacizumab therapy

[44, 46, 47]

Therapeutic vs. diagnostic procedure

[5, 10, 37,38,39,40,41,42, 44, 49]

Colonoscopy vs. sigmoidoscopy

[5, 29, 36]

General anesthesia

[34, 35]