The yield of UGIE: a study of a ten-year period in the 'Zaanstreek'

Background: Study of the occurrence of abnormalities in the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum, and of changes in specific diagnoses. Methods: All consecutive upper gastrointestinal endoscopies (UGIEs) carried out in a period of ten years were included. Results: In ten years 14,927 diagnostic UGIEs were performed (7335 men (49%) and 7592 women (51%)). These procedures were done at the request of the general practitioner in 4995 (33%) cases. A steady yearly increase in the number of open-access UGIEs was noted. Each year a mean Of 796 abnormalities was seen in the oesophagus, a mean Of 437 in the stomach, and of 162 in the duodenum. The presence of hiatal hernia and reflux oesophagitis significantly increased in the ten years (p<0.001). The numbers of Barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal cancer remained constant. Gastritis showed a gradual increase (p<0.001), while the number of gastric ulcers found per year decreased significantly in the ten-year period (p<0.001). Gastric malignancy remained constant. Presence of duodenal ulcers and bulbitis significantly decreased (p=0.01 and p=0.06, respectively). Conclusions: The number of UGIEs carried out at the request of the general practitioner has significantly increased. Peptic ulcer disease shows a significant decrease, while reflux disease increases.