Angelo Zullo1, Giulia Fiorini2, Gabrio Bassotti3, Francesco Bachetti3, Fabio Monica4, Daniele Macor4, Omero Alessandro Paoluzi5, Giuseppe Scaccianoce6, Piero Portincasa6, Vincenzo De Francesco7, Roberto Lorenzetti1, Ilaria Maria Saracino2, Matteo Pavoni2, Dino Vaira2. 1. Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, Nuovo Regina Margherita Hospital, Rome, Italy. 2. Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, S. Orsola Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. 3. Gastroenterology and Hepatology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia Medical School, Perugia, Italy. 4. Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, Academic Hospital Cattinara, Trieste, Italy. 5. Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy. 6. Internal Medicine A. Murri, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy. 7. Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There are no evidence-based recommendations for performing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE) in patients with extra-oesophageal symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). However, UGIEs are often performed in clinical practice in these patients. We aimed to assess the prevalence of gastro-oesophageal lesions in patients with atypical GORD symptoms. METHODS: Patients complaining of at least one extra-oesophageal GORD symptom and undergoing UGIE in seven centres were prospectively enrolled. Clinically relevant lesions (Barrett's oesophagus, erosive oesophagitis, gastric precancerous conditions, peptic ulcer, cancer, and H. pylori infection) were statistically compared between groups regarding GORD symptoms (atypical vs. both typical and atypical), type of atypical symptoms, age, and presence of hiatal hernia. RESULTS: Two hundred eleven patients were enrolled (male/female: 74/137; mean age: 55.5 ± 14.7 years). Barrett's oesophagus was detected in 4 (1.9%), erosive oesophagitis in 12 (5.7%), gastric precancerous conditions in 22 (10.4%), and H. pylori infection in 38 (18%) patients. Prevalence of clinically relevant lesions was lower in patients with only atypical GORD symptoms (28.6 vs. 42.5%; p = 0.046; χ<sup>2</sup> test), in patients ≤50 years (20 vs. 44.8%; p = 0.004; χ<sup>2</sup> test), and in those in ongoing proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy (21.1 vs. 40.2%; p = 0.01; χ<sup>2</sup> test). No clinically relevant lesions were detected in patients ≤50 years, without alarm symptoms, and receiving PPI therapy. Hiatal hernia was diagnosed in only 6 patients with cardiologic and in 41 patients with ear-nose-throat symptoms (11.3 vs. 35.1%; p = 0.03; χ<sup>2</sup> test). CONCLUSIONS: Clinically relevant lesions are uncommon among young (≤50 years) patients with extra-oesophageal GORD symptoms. Hiatal hernia is not more prevalent in patients with cardiologic symptoms and suspicion of GORD. The usefulness of UGIE in these patients is questionable.
BACKGROUND: There are no evidence-based recommendations for performing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE) in patients with extra-oesophageal symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). However, UGIEs are often performed in clinical practice in these patients. We aimed to assess the prevalence of gastro-oesophageal lesions in patients with atypical GORD symptoms. METHODS: Patients complaining of at least one extra-oesophageal GORD symptom and undergoing UGIE in seven centres were prospectively enrolled. Clinically relevant lesions (Barrett's oesophagus, erosive oesophagitis, gastric precancerous conditions, peptic ulcer, cancer, and H. pylori infection) were statistically compared between groups regarding GORD symptoms (atypical vs. both typical and atypical), type of atypical symptoms, age, and presence of hiatal hernia. RESULTS: Two hundred eleven patients were enrolled (male/female: 74/137; mean age: 55.5 ± 14.7 years). Barrett's oesophagus was detected in 4 (1.9%), erosive oesophagitis in 12 (5.7%), gastric precancerous conditions in 22 (10.4%), and H. pylori infection in 38 (18%) patients. Prevalence of clinically relevant lesions was lower in patients with only atypical GORD symptoms (28.6 vs. 42.5%; p = 0.046; χ<sup>2</sup> test), in patients ≤50 years (20 vs. 44.8%; p = 0.004; χ<sup>2</sup> test), and in those in ongoing proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy (21.1 vs. 40.2%; p = 0.01; χ<sup>2</sup> test). No clinically relevant lesions were detected in patients ≤50 years, without alarm symptoms, and receiving PPI therapy. Hiatal hernia was diagnosed in only 6 patients with cardiologic and in 41 patients with ear-nose-throat symptoms (11.3 vs. 35.1%; p = 0.03; χ<sup>2</sup> test). CONCLUSIONS: Clinically relevant lesions are uncommon among young (≤50 years) patients with extra-oesophageal GORD symptoms. Hiatal hernia is not more prevalent in patients with cardiologic symptoms and suspicion of GORD. The usefulness of UGIE in these patients is questionable.
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