Gender-related differences in upper gastrointestinal endoscopic findings: an assessment of 4,700 cases from Iran.
OBJECTIVE
Regarding the high prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in our country, the probable overuse or even late usage of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for unnecessary reasons and gender influences on both internal and external fate and effects, we decided to evaluate the gender-related differences in upper gastrointestinal endoscopic findings to provide gastroenterologists with information which they can perform better interpretation of their patient's symptoms before performing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.


METHODS
A descriptive cross-sectional study performed to evaluate gender-related differences in the upper endoscopy findings.


METHODS
The study was performed in the upper endoscopy ward of a general hospital in Tehran, Iran.


METHODS
Four thousand and seven hundred Iranian patients undergo upper endoscopy between 1992 and 2002.


METHODS
Upper endoscopy findings


RESULTS
After age adjustment, oesophageal tumour, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastric tumour, oesophageal varices, gastritis, hiatal hernia, gastric ulcer and erosive gastropathy, all p < 0.001 were significantly more common among men rather than women. Male gender predicts the presence of hiatal hernia (odds ratio (OR) = 1.9, p < 0.001), GERD (OR = 1.6, p < .001), gastric ulcer (OR = 2.3, p < 0.001), duodenal ulcer (OR = 2.3, p < 0.001) and duodenal varices (OR = .6, p = .044).


CONCLUSIONS
Backward study


CONCLUSIONS
Our regression models revealed that male gender is a risk factor for hiatal hernia, GERD, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer but not for other upper endoscopic findings.
Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease Research Center, Rasool-e-Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Amir Hossein
AH
Boghratian
Mohammad Hossein
MH
Hashemi
Ali
A
Kabir
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult