Low yield of endoscopy in patients with persistent dyspepsia taking proton pump inhibitors.
BACKGROUND
Options for the evaluation of dyspepsia include a Helicobacter pylori test-and-treat strategy, empiric acid suppression, and initial endoscopy. The aim of this study was to determine the yield of endoscopy in patients in whom empiric therapy is unsuccessful compared with patients who received no empiric therapy and to identify factors associated with endoscopic findings.


METHODS
A total of 100 patients with dyspepsia referred for endoscopy completed a questionnaire that included a query concerning response to therapy. EGD findings were compared in patients taking an H2-receptor antagonist, patients taking a proton pump inhibitor, and those not receiving empiric therapy.


RESULTS
There were fewer endoscopic findings in patients being treated with a proton pump inhibitor compared with those taking an H2-receptor antagonist or those not receiving therapy (p < 0.01). Fewer proton pump inhibitor recipients had esophagitis or ulcer compared with patients in the no therapy group. Lack of symptom relief (<20%) by acid suppression was highly associated with a normal endoscopy (17/17).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with persistent dyspepsia being treated with a proton pump inhibitor have fewer endoscopic abnormalities compared with patients with dyspepsia taking an H2-receptor antagonist and those receiving no therapy. For patients with partial symptom relief, proton pump inhibitor therapy may mask endoscopic findings, particularly esophagitis. Interruption of proton pump inhibitors before endoscopy may increase diagnostic yield. Endoscopy is unlikely to yield a positive finding in patients who experience no symptom relief while taking a proton pump inhibitor or H2-receptor antagonist.
Smith
Terrence
T
Vanderbilt University, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, USA.
Verzola
Edwardo
E
Mertz
Howard
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005773:Gastroscopy; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011336:Probability; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D017494:Proton Pumps / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D017494:Proton Pumps