Patients' attitudes to sedation and their information needs before undergoing endoscopy were investigated using a questionnaire. One hundred and two patients completed the study; 32 had undergone endoscopy before. Sixty-six (94%) of the new patients and all follow-up patients knew why they were undergoing the procedure; 65 (93%) new and 28 (88%) follow-up patients understood how the procedure was carried out. Forty-one percent of the new and 25% of the follow-up patients wanted an information booklet about their disease and its management. Most patients chose to be sedated during the endoscopy. The proportion wishing to be sedated did not differ significantly between the new and follow-up patient groups. Sedation and information should be offered to all patients undergoing endoscopy.