[When to perform gastroscopy for a patient with upper abdominal pain?].
Endoscopy is the primary investigation for patients over 50 years with upper abdominal pain. Endoscopy is also necessary for younger patients having alarming symptoms. For younger patients a treatment trial can usually be made. If the patient is diagnosed with Helicobacter, it should normally be treated and endoscopy performed only if symptoms continue in spite of the eradication. In the absence of Helicobacter, a proton pump inhibitor is recommended for the treatment trial. Submitting doctors are in key role in applying investigational indications.
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OYS:n sisätautien tulosyksikkö, gastroenterologian osasto, PL 20, 90029 OYS.