Objectives:
Upper gastrointestinal system (GIS) endoscopy is an important diagnostic and therapeutic tool in geriatric patients, similarly to other age groups. Here we aimed to present the indications, endoscopic and pathologic findings and also endoscopy related complications of upper endoscopic procedures in our geriatric population.
Materials and Methods:
This study was designed as a retrospective study. Patients over 65 years old who had either diagnostic and/or therapeutic upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy between 1 January 2017-1 January 2018 in Keçiören Training and Research Hospital were enrolled into the study. Based on their age, patients were divided into two subgroups: group 1: patients aged between 65-80 years old and group 2: patients aged over 80 years old.
Results:
Overall 1154 patients (median age 74.2±6.38, male/female: 44.7/55.3) were enrolled into the study. Tissue biopsy was performed in 1018 patients. The most frequent upper GIS endoscopy indication was dyspepsia (86.3%). Gastritis (81.5%) and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation (34%) were the most frequent endoscopic findings. Nevertheless the frequency of gastric cancer and peptic ulcer were 1.4% and 1.1%, respectively. The frequency of H. pylori in our patients was 41.7%. Between two groups, endoscopy indications, endoscopic findings and frequency of H. pylori were not significantly different. We did not observe any complication and upper GIS endoscopy associated mortality in our patients.
Conclusion:
Upper GIS endoscopy can be perform in terms of diagnostic or therapeutic with safely in geriatric patients even if patient is extremely elder. Age, alone must not a router to decide upper GIS endoscopy in geriatric patient.
Keywords: Endoscopy, Geriatric Patient, Peptic Ulcer
