title: Diagnostic strategy in suspected duodenal ulcer disease. A questionnaire study.
abstract: In a questionnaire study of 89 Danish gastroenterologists the current diagnostic strategy in patients suspected of having duodenal ulcer disease was elucidated. A case summary concerning a patient with upper abdominal pain was presented. It was assumed that the patient had had a double-contrast barium meal examination or an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy performed. If the X-ray had revealed a deformity of the duodenal bulb, 30% of the gastroenterologists would offer the patient specific medical treatment (H2-blocking agent etc.), but a significantly higher number of gastroenterologists, 45%, (p less than 0.05) would offer specific medical treatment if a deformity was revealed at endoscopy. There was also a significant difference (p less than 0.01) between those who would offer specific treatment if X-ray (84%) or if endoscopy (100%) had revealed an ulcer. Considerable variation was found among experts in their decisions on the basis of X-ray and endoscopy in patients with suspected duodenal ulcer disease. Gastroenterologists generally rely more on endoscopic than on radiographic findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine F, Glostrup Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gjørup
authors.forename: O J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Hartling
mesh_terms: D001464:Barium; D003657:Decision Making; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004384:Duodenoscopy; D004386:Duodenum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008722:Methods; D011859:Radiography
chemical_list: D001464:Barium