Findings of the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Endoscopies Performed in Firouzabadi Hospital, Tehran, Iran, Between 1991 and 2001

Abstract

Background: Endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract is the most accurate method for the diagnosis of most disease conditions associated with dyspepsia. However, endoscopy involves some discomfort, significant social inconvenience, and cost. Attempts to identify those patients most likely to benefit from endoscopy have met with variable success. To evaluate endoscopic findings of the upper gastrointestinal tract, performed in Firouzabadi Hospital, Tehran, Iran.

Materials and Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 4,859 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy in Firouzabadi Hospital, Tehran, between 1991 and 2001. Clinical variables of consecutive patients presenting with symptoms of dyspepsia who underwent upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy examinations were recorded using a common endoscopy database.

Results: Of 4,859 patients studied, 46.7% were male and 53.3% were female. The most common chief complaint was epigastric pain (51.9%) followed by heartburn (14.2%) and melena (7.1%). Furthermore, the most frequent endoscopic finding was gastritis (23%) followed by esophagitis (14.8%) and peptic ulcer (13%).

Conclusion: Regarding high sample size and a 10-years evaluation of endoscopic findings in our study leaded to considerable descriptive information in this subject. In addition, the relationships found in our study are of value.