Indications for an endoscopic findings in patients with symptoms of upper gastrointestinal disease in a Tertiary Hospital in South-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Upper gastrointestinal complaints are common, and the underlying diseases range from simple to very serious pathologies. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy helps in the proper diagnosis and the appropriate management of the underlying lesions. Aim: To determine the indications for and the findings at upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in a private Tertiary Hospital in South-Eastern, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study of adults who had an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy between March 2011 and August 2012 at the study hospital was carried out. Their medical records were reviewed to evaluate the indications and outcomes of the endoscopy. Results: A total of 211 patients' records were reviewed. Males constituted 49.5% of the patients while females constituted 50.5% giving a male:female ratio of approximately 1:1. Their ages ranged from 18 to 92 years with a mean of 52.5 years. The commonest indications for the procedure were dyspepsia occurring in 129 (61.1%) followed by gastrointestinal bleeding 39 (18.5%). The commonest endoscopic diagnosis was gastritis which was found in 161 (76.3%) patients. Peptic ulcer was diagnosed in 29 patients (13.7%) and gastroesophageal varices in 5 patients (2.4%). Of 39 patients with an indication of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, peptic ulcers occurred in 18 (42.1%) while varices were seen in 5 (12.8%). Conclusion: The commonest indication for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in the studied Tertiary Hospital in South-Eastern Nigeria is dyspepsia while the commonest endoscopic diagnosis is gastritis. Furthermore, peptic ulcers are seen more commonly than gastro-oesophageal varices in patients presenting with upper gastrointestinal bleeding in this population.