[Predictability of the anamnesis in pathology of the upper tract of the digestive system. Computerized analysis concerning 1000 subjects submitted to esophagogastroduodenoscopy].

The ability of history taking to predict endoscopically verified pathology of the upper gastrointestinal tract was evaluated in a group of 1000 patients submitted to esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGDS). The presence of one or more of the following symptoms at the time of EGDS or 4 weeks previously, was considered: epigastric pain, dysphagia, dyspepsia, gastrointestinal bleeding, pyrosis, anorexia and/or weight loss, nausea and/or vomiting. The results of this elaboration showed that the presence of recent symptomatology does not allow differentiation of patients with endoscopically verified pathology from those without it. The presence of an "at risk history" consisting of one or more of the following factors was also evaluated: smoking 10 cigarettes per day, drinking 100 g alcohol per day, previous diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal tract pathology, gastrointestinal-irritating therapy. Data analysis showed notable importance of the presence of an "at risk history"; in fact, when compared with subjects without this type of history, "at risk" patients were twice as likely to have a pathological condition diagnosed. Thus, when protocols for endoscopic examination are established the history of the patient and his lifestyle must be taken into consideration.