Guidelines on appropriate indications for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy

Abstract

Most patients referred for endoscopy complain of symptoms that come under the general heading of dyspepsia.1 2 3 4 5 Gastrointestinal symptoms are responsible for about 10% of the work of general practitioners,6 with upper abdominal symptoms (principally dyspepsia) accounting for about half. The severity and frequency of symptoms alone does not predict the likelihood of consultation, however; concerns about the meaning of symptoms, particularly in terms of malignancy and heart disease, play an important part in determining whether a patient consults. This is reflected in the finding that dyspeptic patients with negative findings on endoscopy have greatly reduced consultation and prescribing rates after the procedure.7