Clinical Indication of Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and its outcome

Introduction: Upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are the commonest complaints among the patients for which they seek medical attention. Diseases associated with these symptoms are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Objective: To assess the clinical indication of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and its outcome. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study was conducted at Department of Gastroenterology,Abdul Malek Ukil Medical College Hospital, Noakhali, Bangladesh from January 2020 to December 2020. Six hundred two (602) patients were included. All patients who had come with anemia, dyspepsia, suspected gastrointestinal bleed, dysphagia, malena were included in this study. The data was collected using Microsoft excel software and was classified into indications for performing the endoscopy and their obtained results .The results were further classified into age and sex. Results: Total 602 patients who underwent UGIE during the one year study period were analyzed. Among them 326 were males (54.2%) and 276were females (45.8%). None of the patients were on aspirin or proton pump inhibitors. The maximum number of people who underwent the procedure were within 20 – 60 year age group and there was decreasing trends before and after this age group. The patients underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy mainly because of dyspepsia 226 37.5%) and pain abdomen 163(27.07%), followed by gastroesophageal reflux symptoms 92(15.2%), dysphagia 48(7.9%), suspected varices 30 (4.9%), gastrointestinal bleeding 23(3.8%), anemia had the least of all indication 20(3.3%). Among the indication for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was considered appropriate according to ASGE criteria, endoscopy was normal in 268(44.5%) patients. Erosive gastritis is the most frequent diagnosis 78(12.9%), followed by non-erosive gastritis 42(6.9%), followed by esophagitis 40 (6.6%), duodenal erosions 38(6.3%) duodenal ulcer 36(5.9%), gastric ulcer 30(4.9%), esophageal varices 21(3.4%), carcinoma of esophagus 16 (2.6%), carcinoma of stomach 12 (1.9%), hiatus hernia 11(1.82%) others 10(1.8%) Conclusion: In conclusion, uppers gastro-intestinal endoscopy is a simple, safe, more reliable and valuable tool with easy learning curve, it enables direct visualization of the upper GI tract and when combined with histopathological examination helps in diagnosing as well as therapeutic interventions for patients with various pathologies. Compared to previous decade there has been gradual rise in GERD which can be attributed to changes in lifestyle and/or a high fat diet with lack of exercise, leading to obesity.