Evaluation of dyspepsia in young and old patients using ultrasound of abdomen and esophagogastroduodenoscopy

Abstract

Background: Dyspepsia is an upper gastrointestinal disorder affecting 20-45% of the global population. It is characterized by frequent discomfort, burning in the epigastrium and postprandial distress severe enough to hamper routine activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate dyspepsia in young (<40 years) and old patients (>40 years) using ultrasound of abdomen and esophagogastroduodenoscopy as investigative modalities. Methods: The present study was single centre hospital based observational study. 145 patients with dyspepsia were grouped into two categories on the basis of age into those less than and above 40 years of age. All the patients were evaluated using ultrasound of abdomen and esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Results: Epigastric pain was the most common symptom in both groups. It was experienced by 71.23% of the patients less than 40 years and 69.44% of the group above 40 years. Ultrasound examination was normal in majority of patients studied; however more ultrasound abnormalities were detected in the older group of patients. Fatty liver disease was diagnosed in 19.26% younger patients and 48.6% older patients. Cholecystitis and gall bladder polyps were detected only in older patients. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed significant number of abnormalities in both groups. Pangastritis in 21.91% young patients and antral gastritis in 20.80% older patients were the commonest findings in the respective groups. Conclusion: The study concluded that older patients had more frequent organic dyspepsia while younger patients had functional dyspepsia more commonly as evaluated by both esophagogastroduodenoscopy as well as ultrasound examination. Keywords: dyspepsia; endoscopy; esophagogastroduodenoscopy; fatty liver; gastritis; ultrasound