Publication:

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in patients with dysphagia: our experience

Background One of the common indications for upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is dysphagia. Dysphagia is usually associated with serious underlying disorder that requires immediate attention. The current study aimed to determine the frequency of common endoscopic findings in patients presenting with   dysphagia.

Methods This retrospective study was conducted at the S.S Institute of Medical Science and Research center Davangere from January 2015 to June 2019. Patients admitted with complaints of dysphagia, OPD patients and references with complaints of dysphagia underwent upper GI endoscope by different endoscopist were included in the study. Register in endoscopic room was referred for different endoscopic findings in dysphagia patients.

Results A total of 158 patients presenting with dysphagia were studied, 83 (52.53%) were males and 74 (47.46%) were females. The mean age was 55years.  Normal study present in 63 (39.87). Malignant oesophageal stricture was the next common finding noted in 47 (29.74%) patients. Among these patients 25 (53.19%) males and 22 (46.80%) females patients. It was followed by reflux esophagitis in 31 (19.62%) patients. Benign oesophageal strictures in 9 (5.69%) patients while achalasia was noted in 1 (0.63%) patients, 7 (4.46%) patients had findings other than the ones mentioned above. Malignant lesions commonly present in elderly patients with age. Benign lesions present commonly in younger age group.

Conclusions Malignancies, reflux esophagitis, benign oesophageal strictures are a more common cause of dysphagia in our population. Early diagnosis of can result in proper treatment of many of these cases.