Dyspeptic sypmtoms are common in our population and are typical for upper gastrointestinal tract disease. Endoscopy is commonly performed to evaluate symptoms of dyspepsia, especially in older patients after 45 years or with alarm symptoms. The aim of this study was to charaterize patients who receive endoscopy for dyspepsia and to analyse their endoscopic findings.
Material and methods: Endoscopic egzamination was performed first time in 230 patients without alarm symptoms, without history earlier history of gastrointestinal pathology, with normal abdomen ultrasonography. According to Rome II criteria (at least 12 months of symptoms) all patients were classified as dyspeptic.
Results: Only in 23% of this group no endoscopic changes were noticed. Functional dyspepsia was diagnosed mostly before 45 year, but organic changes mostly after 45 year, however in both groups (after and before 45 years) we found almost similar percent of serious organic changes (ulcers and neoplasm). Summarising, we found organic changes in 69% of patients before 45 years in comparison to 80% after 45 years (ns).
Conclusion: We conclude that in the case of long lasting dyspeptic symptoms (at least 12 months), endoscopy should be performed to exclude organic pathology in all patients.