The yield of UGIE: a study of a ten-year period in the 'Zaanstreek'.

BACKGROUND

Study of the occurrence of abnormalities in the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum, and of changes in specific diagnoses.

METHODS

All consecutive upper gastrointestinal endoscopies (UGIEs) carried out in a period of ten years were included.

RESULTS

In ten years 14,927 diagnostic UGIEs were performed (7335 men (49%) and 7592 women (51%)). These procedures were done at the request of the general practitioner in 4995 (33%) cases. A steady yearly increase in the number of open-access UGIEs was noted. Each year a mean of 796 abnormalities was seen in the oesophagus, a mean of 437 in the stomach, and of 162 in the duodenum. The presence of hiatal hernia and reflux oesophagitis significantly increased in the ten years (p < 0.001). The numbers of Barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal cancer remained constant. Gastritis showed a gradual increase (p < 0.001), while the number of gastric ulcers found per year decreased significantly in the ten-year period (p < 0.001). Gastric malignancy remained constant. Presence of duodenal ulcers and bulbitis significantly decreased (p = 0.01 and p = 0.06, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The number of UGIEs carried out at the request of the general practitioner has significantly increased. Peptic ulcer disease shows a significant decrease, while reflux disease increases.