title: Epidemic Trends of Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Abnormalities: Hospital-based study on Endoscopic Data Evaluation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To understand the epidemiology of different upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract related abnormalities through endoscopic data analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study of three years from January 2009 to December 2011 was conducted with data from endoscopic surveillance of upper GI tract problems, collected from the Gastroenterology Unit, Osmania General Hospital, Hyderabad. MS excel and Medcalc software (comparison of proportions) were used for data analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 10,029 (6,468 in males and 3,561 in females) endoscopies were performed during this three-year period. The male to female ratio was 1.8:1. Overall, ~30% of endoscopies evaluated showed patients with acid peptic disorders, 13.6% with vascular- related abnormalities, 10.6% showed structural abnormalities, followed by 6.3% with malignancies. Burden of malignancies was mostly observed in the older age group (60-69 years). Esophageal cancer cases decreased (p=0.0001) whereas stomach cancers increased over this period (p=0.0345). We also observed an increased incidence of acid peptic disease (APD) (p=0.0036) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (p=0.0002) cases during this period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endoscopic diagnosis is useful for early detection of UGI anomalies and helpful for physicians to manage and treat varied kinds of UGI disorders. Analysis of data revealed changing trends in the incidence of various pathologies of the UGI tract. Functional dyspepsia and GERD definitely reduce the quality of life of the individual. The role of our diverse dietary habits and lifestyle associated with these problems have not yet been established, though there have been reports on the effect of coffee, spicy food, wheat-based diet, screening of UGI pathologies along with collection of complete personal and medical history details, can help in correlating the patients' condition with various aspects of lifestyle and diet.
authors: Department of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Vasavi Medical and Research Centre, Hyderabad, India E-mail : greenpastures@gmail.com.
authors: Mohammed Khaliq
authors: MK
authors: Mohiuddin
authors: Suman
authors: S
authors: Chowdavaram
authors: Varun
authors: V
authors: Bogadi
authors: Boddu
authors: B
authors: Prabhakar
authors: Kondadasula Pandu Ranga
authors: KP
authors: Rao
authors: Suneetha
authors: S
authors: Devi
authors: Vasavi
authors: V
authors: Mohan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005756:Gastritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D041742:Upper Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000473:pathology*