Abstract
Dysphagia is the medical term for the symptom of difficulty in swallowing. Dysphagia can occur in all age groups, and its prevalence increases with aging. Diagnosis of dysphagia is important due to associated morbidity and mortality, so it warrants early evaluation. The current study aimed to determine the frequency of common endoscopic findings in Egyptian patients presenting with esophageal dysphagia. This cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out in the department of Gastroenterology, faculty of medicine, Alexandria University in the period from January 2012 -December 2014. 127 patients with dysphagia were included in the study and were subjected to endoscopy. A total of 127 patients; 73 females (57.5%), and 54 males (42.5%) presenting with dysphagia were studied, the mean age was 49.56±16.41 years. gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD)/reflux esophagitis was the most common findings noted in 25(19.7%) patients, followed by esophageal stricture noted in 22 patients (17.3%), esophageal mass in 21 patients (16.5%), normal endoscopic findings in 20 patients (15.7%), achalasia of the esophagus in 12 patients (9.4%), eosinophilic esophagitis in 6 (4.7%) patients, esophageal web/rings in 5 (3.9%)patients, diffuse esophageal spasm in 4 patients ( 3.1%), foreign body impaction in 2 patients (1.6%), and hiatal hernia in 2 patients (1.6). 8 (6.3%) patients had findings other than the ones mentioned above. We concluded that GERD/reflux esophagitis, and esophageal strictures are the commonest causes of dysphagia in our population. Also malignant esophageal mass is the main cause of dysphagia in elderly population, both warrants early diagnosis and management.
Highlights
Dysphagia is the medical term for the symptom of difficulty in swallowing [1]
Gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD)/reflux esophagitis was the most common findings noted in 25(19.7%) patients, followed by esophageal stricture noted in 22 patients (17.3%), esophageal mass in 21 patients (16.5%), normal endoscopic findings in 20 patients (15.7%), achalasia of the esophagus in 12 patients (9.4%), other pathology in 8 patients (6.3%) patients, eosinophilic esophagitis in 6 (4.7%) patients, esophageal web/rings in 5 (3.9%)patients, diffuse esophageal spasm in 4 patients ( 3.1%), foreign body impaction in 2 patients (1.6%), and hiatal hernia in 2 patients (1.6). (Table-1)
We found that the prevalence of malignancy increases in the higher age groups, with slightly female predominance and those having dysphagia for more than 24 weeks duration
Summary
Dysphagia is the medical term for the symptom of difficulty in swallowing [1]. The word is de-rived from the Greek dysmeaning disordered, and the root phag- meaning "eat”. It suggests difficulty in the passage of solids or liquids from the mouth to the stomach, a lack of pharyngeal sensation, or various other inadequacies of the swallowing mechanism [2]. Swallowing disorders can occur in all age groups, resulting from congenital abnormalities, structural damage, and/or medical conditions [3]. A population-based study found the overall prevalence of dysphagia to be 13.5% [4]. The prevalence ranges between 29% and 64% in patients who have had strokes [6,7], and more than 40% in patients in institutionalized settings[8]. Normal aging is associated with cerebral atrophy, deterioration in nerve function, and decline in muscle mass, which may adversely affect swallowing function [9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
