Loffeld R J L F, van der Putten A B M M
Department of Internal Medicine, De Heel Zaans Medical Centre, PO BOX 210, 1500 EE Zaandam, The Netherlands.
Neth J Med. 2003 Jan;61(1):14-8.
Study of the occurrence of abnormalities in the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum, and of changes in specific diagnoses.
All consecutive upper gastrointestinal endoscopies (UGIEs) carried out in a period of ten years were included.
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).
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.
