The Cut-off Age for Gastroscopy in the Management of Dyspepsia Patients in a Tertiary Hospital in Central South Africa

Kayombo ET and Smit SJA

Department of General Surgery, University of the Free State, South Africa

^*Correspondance to: Kayombo Emile Tshisola 

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Abstract:

Background: Dyspepsia is a widespread medical condition; it confers a poor quality of life on the patient, although survival is not affected. The American College of Gastroenterology/Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (ACG/CAG) is among the most followed guidelines worldwide for managing dyspepsia patients, including Central South Africa. However, the ACG/ACG uses the cut-off age of 60 for gastroscopy, which may be inappropriate for Central South Africa due to the epidemiological differences.
Objective: To demonstrate that the cut-off age of 60 used for gastroscopy in managing dyspepsia patients may be inappropriate for Central South Africa. The argument will be supported by a high prevalence of significant pathology on gastroscopy among young dyspepsia patients with no alarm signs.
Method: A retrospective record review of dyspepsia patients, without alarm signs, aged 18 to 59 years, who had gastroscopy in one of the academic hospitals in Central South Africa between 01, 2018 and 08, 2019. Results: The study included 167 (3.6%) patients out of the 4,588, with 40.7% (68/167) with significant pathology. The median age of significant pathology was 43 years. The study also found that 20.3% of patients (34/167) had a normal gastroscopy and 38.9% (65/167) of patients with benign pathology.
Conclusion: The study concluded that many young dyspepsia patients without alarming features have significant pathology on gastroscopy 40.7% (68/167). The cut-off age of 60 may be inappropriate for Central South Africa. We suggest further local studies and a review of the cut-off age.

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Cite the Article:

Kayombo ET, Smit SJA. The Cut-off Age for Gastroscopy in the Management of Dyspepsia Patients in a Tertiary Hospital in Central South Africa. World J Surg Surgical Res. 2023; 6:1485..