DefinePK

Research Objective

To assess the common indications, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) findings, and therapeutic procedures performed in patients undergoing EGD for various gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms at a tertiary care hospital.

Methodology

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 127 patients in the Department of Gastroenterology, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), over a six-month period (August 2019 to February 2020). Data collected included patient demographics, indications for EGD, mode of presentation, EGD findings, and therapeutic procedures. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23.

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD;
    A["Study Design: Cross-sectional"];
    B["Patient Recruitment: 127 patients"];
    C["Data Collection: Demographics, Indications, Findings, Procedures"];
    D["Data Analysis: SPSS v23"];
    E["Results Interpretation"];
    F["Conclusion and Recommendations"];                    

Discussion

The study highlights upper GI bleed as the primary indication for EGD in this tertiary care setting, likely due to the hospital's role as a referral center for patients with chronic liver disease and portal hypertension, which are associated with varices and portal gastropathy. Dyspepsia was the second most common indication. Esophageal varices were the most frequent endoscopic finding, leading to variceal banding as the most common intervention. The authors note that cross-sectional studies can be limited by data quality and single-center focus, and suggest further research with broader data collection.

Key Findings

The mean age of patients was 47.85 ± 6.74 years, with a male to female ratio of 1.04. The most common indications for EGD were upper GI bleed (25.19%) and dyspepsia (22.83%). The three most common EGD findings were esophageal varices (34.64%), portal gastropathy (24.4%), and mild gastritis (14.96%). Variceal banding was the most common interventional procedure performed (45.61%).

Conclusion

In this tertiary care hospital, upper GI bleed is the most common indication for EGD, with esophageal varices being the most frequent endoscopic finding and variceal banding the commonest procedure. The study recommends local guidelines for screening and management of varices and gastropathy, development of more low-cost specialized centers for upper GI bleed treatment, and further research into causative factors and preventive measures for varices, gastropathy, and gastritis in the region.

Fact Check

1. Sample Size: The study included 127 patients. (Confirmed in Methodology and Results sections).
2. Most Common Indication: Upper GI bleed was the most common indication for EGD, accounting for 25.19% of cases. (Confirmed in Results section).
3. Most Common Finding: Esophageal varices were the most common EGD finding, observed in 34.64% of patients. (Confirmed in Results section).

Mind Map