[Gastro-esophageal reflux in adults: clinical and endoscopic features at the Le Dantec Hospital of Dakar]

Dakar Med. 2002;47(2):142-6.
[Article in French]

Abstract

We carried out a prospective study in the digestive endoscopy unit of Medical Clinic of the University Hospital Le Dantec, in order to better clarify the clinical and endoscopic features of gastro-esophageal reflux ( GER ) in our country. Patients whose endoscopy was indicated by symptoms of GER and those who presented oesophagitis were concerned in this study. We so included 317 patients, representing 16.75% of all patients undergoing upper gastro-intestinal endoscopy from september 1999 to august 2000. Clinical symptoms could be analysed in 164 patients (51.74%). Mean age was 40 years and sex-ratio 0.83. The most frequent digestive symptoms were epigastric pains ( 72.6 % ), heartburn ( 60.4 % ), and acid regurgitations ( 56.7% ). Non gastro-intestinal symptoms were present in 43.9% of cases for Ear Nose and Throat signs. 36.6% for chest pains and 14.6% for pulmonary manifestations. Peptic oesophagitis was present in 40.69% of patients with a mean age of 44 years. Savary and Miller grade IV was rare and was represented by oesophageal ulcers only. GER aspects in our departement are characterized by high frequency of epigastric pains and atypical symptoms, and rarity of severe forms of oesophagitis.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Esophagoscopy*
  • Female
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux / diagnosis*
  • Gastroscopy*
  • Hospitals
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Senegal