Open-access upper gastrointestinal endoscopy a decade after the introduction of proton pump inhibitors and helicobacter pylori eradication: a shift in endoscopic findings.
OBJECTIVE
Over the past 15 years, there were considerable changes in factors associated with the development and treatment of upper gastrointestinal symptoms, of which the introduction of proton pump inhibitors and Helicobacter pylori eradication in guidelines for treatment of patients with dyspepsia are the most prominent: findings at open-access upper gastrointestinal endoscopy have not been evaluated properly ever since. This study aims to compare the current prevalence of upper gastrointestinal endoscopic findings to the prevalence 15 years ago.


METHODS
Data about endoscopic findings of consecutive patients for the first time referred for open-access upper gastrointestinal endoscopy between January 2002 and December 2004 was collected from medical files. The prevalence of each specific finding was compared with data described in three historical populations about 15 years ago.


RESULTS
The current and historical study population consisted of 1,286 and 3,062 subjects, respectively. The prevalence of peptic ulcer disease and duodenitis significantly decreased by 12.6% (95% CI: 14.5-10.7) and 2.9% (95% CI: 4.5-1.3), respectively. On the other hand, the prevalence of reflux esophagitis and Barrett's esophagus both significantly increased by 6.9% (95% CI: 4.2-9.6) and 2.1% (95% CI: 0.8-4.4), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared to 15 years ago, the prevalence of specific findings at open-access upper gastrointestinal endoscopy has changed considerably.
van Kerkhoven
Lieke A S
LA
Department of Gastroenterology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. L.vanKerkhoven@MDL.umcn.nl
van Rijswijck
Sally J
SJ
van Rossum
Leo G M
LG
Laheij
Robert J F
RJ
Witteman
Ellen M
EM
Tan
Adriaan C I T L
AC
Jansen
Jan B M J
JB
D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors