DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2023.v11i01.032

Pages: 204-213

Background: Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is the most common procedure performed in Gastroenterology department for numerous indications and ulceration of the upper GI tract is one of the major pathological findings during endoscopy. Early diagnosis of upper GI ulcers with definite cause is the mainstay of therapy for patient’s cure and prevention of complications. Different clinical features are observed in different types of ulcer. Objective: The objective of this study is to find out the causes of different types of ulceration in the upper gastrointestinal tract along with their clinical presentation. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Gastroenterology, BSMMU, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period of July 2016 to April 2017. Patients referred for upper GI endoscopy for different indications were primarily selected. Consecutive 220 patients having ulcers anywhere in the upper GIT were finally included in the study. Ulcer diseases were diagnosed through analysis of morphology of the ulcers, histopathology of biopsy materials, relevant clinical history and further investigations if required. All the findings were documented in predesigned data collection sheet. Any association between various types of ulcers with age, gender, BMI, lifestyle, location of ulcer, different signs and symptoms was assessed. Results: Out of 220 patients duodenal ulcer was found in 45.9%, gastric ulcer in 30.0%, oesophageal ulcer in 7.7%, ulceration at multiple sites in 13.6%, and stomal ulcer in 2.7% cases. Among the aetiologies H. pylori infection (62.8%), NSAIDs (14.6%) and malignant ulcers (9.1%) were found in majority of cases. Less common causes were tubercular ulcer, lymphoma, GIST, Crohn’s disease and caustic injury. Aetiology could not be identified in 6.8% cases. Among various presenting complaints epigastric pain, early satiety, anorexia, vomiting and GI bleeding were the symptoms that differ significantly in patients with ulcers ...........