Factors associated with gastro-duodenal disease in patients undergoing upper GI endoscopy at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.
BACKGROUND
There is a high prevalence of gastro-duodenal disease in sub-Saharan Africa. Peptic ulcer disease in dyspeptic patients, 24.5%, was comparable to prevalence of gastro-duodenal disease among symptomatic individuals in developed countries (12 - 25%). Limited data exists regarding its associated risk factors despite accumulating evidence indicating that gastroduodenal disease is common in Ghana.


OBJECTIVE
This study investigates risk factors associated with gastro-duodenal disease at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.


METHODS
This study utilized a cross-sectional design to consecutively recruit patients referred with upper gastro-intestinal symptoms for endoscopy. The study questionnaire was administered to study participants. Helicobacter pylori infection was confirmed by rapid-urease examination at endoscopy.


RESULTS
Of 242 patients sampled; 64 had duodenal ulcer, 66 gastric ulcer, 27gastric cancer and 64 non-ulcer dyspepsia. Nineteen (19) had duodenal and gastric ulcer while 2 had gastric ulcer and cancer. A third (32.6%) of patients had history of NSAID-use. H. pyloriwas associated with gastric ulcer (p=0.033) and duodenal ulcer (p=0.001). There was an increased prevalence of duodenal ulcer in H. pylori-infected patients taking NSAIDs, P=0.003.


CONCLUSIONS
H. pylori was a major risk factor for peptic ulcer disease. However, NSAID-related gastro-duodenal injury has been shown to be common in H. pylori infected patients. It highlights the need for awareness of the adverse gastro-intestinal effects in a H. pylori endemic area.
Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana.
Timothy N A
TN
Archampong
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana.
Richard H
RH
Asmah
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana; Department of Pathology, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana.
Edwin K
EK
Wiredu
Department of Pathology, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana.
Richard K
RK
Gyasi
Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana.
Kofi N
KN
Nkrumah
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004381:Duodenal Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
Ghana; Helicobacter; NSAIDs; Peptic ulcer; endoscopy