Abstract | BACKGROUND: Uninvestigated dyspepsia is common in family practice. The prevalence of clinically significant upper gastrointestinal findings (CSFs) in adult uninvestigated dyspepsia patients, and their predictability based on history, is unknown. METHODS: Prompt endoscopy was performed within 10 days of referral, in 1040 adult patients presenting with uninvestigated dyspepsia at 49 Canadian family practitioner centres. Subsequent management strategies during a 6-month follow-up period were determined by the individual family practitioners. RESULTS: CSFs were identified in 58% (603/1040) of patients. Erosive oesophagitis was most common (43%; N = 451); peptic ulcer was uncommon (5.3%; N = 55). Alarm symptoms were uncommon (2.8%; N = 29). Most patients had at least three dyspepsia symptoms, more than 80% had at least six, and approximately half had eight or more. Based on the dominant symptom, 463 (45%) patients had ulcer-like, 393 (38%) had reflux-like and 184 (18%) had dysmotility-like dyspepsia. The patients' dominant symptom was not predictive of endoscopic findings. Oesophagitis was more common in those with dominant reflux-like symptoms and was the most common finding in all subgroups. The prevalence of gastroduodenal findings was similar in all symptom subgroups. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection (30%; 301/1013) was associated with gastroduodenal findings. CONCLUSIONS:
Dyspepsia subclassifications, based on dominant symptom, are of limited value in predicting the presence and nature of CSFs. Oesophagitis was by far the most common diagnosis (43% of patients). CSFs were common in uninvestigated dyspepsia patients and their nature suggests patients could be initially treated effectively, without endoscopy, using empirical acid suppressive therapy.
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Authors | A B R Thomson, A N Barkun, D Armstrong, N Chiba, R J White, S Daniels, S Escobedo, B Chakraborty, P Sinclair, S J O Veldhuyzen Van Zanten |
Journal | Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics
(Aliment Pharmacol Ther)
Vol. 17
Issue 12
Pg. 1481-91
(Jun 15 2003)
ISSN: 0269-2813 [Print] England |
PMID | 12823150
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
- Aspirin
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
(therapeutic use)
- Aspirin
(therapeutic use)
- Barrett Esophagus
(diagnosis)
- Dyspepsia
(etiology)
- Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal
(adverse effects, standards)
- Esophagitis
(diagnosis)
- Female
- Gastrointestinal Neoplasms
(diagnosis)
- Helicobacter Infections
(diagnosis)
- Helicobacter pylori
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Peptic Ulcer
(diagnosis)
- Predictive Value of Tests
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Stomach Diseases
(diagnosis)
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