Trends in upper GI pathology over 18 years: a retrospective cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine
• Epidemiology
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Upper gastrointestinal (GI) pathologies, including peptic ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), are frequent causes of patient discomfort.
• This study examines 18-year trends (2007-2024) in the prevalence and demographics of common upper GI conditions at a major medical center.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate temporal trends in the incidence and patient demographics for key upper GI conditions.
• To analyze changes in prevalence and age distribution for pathologies like gastritis, peptic ulcers, and GERD.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 6,188 endoscopic procedures from 2007-2024.
• Evaluation of trends in case numbers, average patient age, and male-to-female ratios for gastritis, peptic ulcers, GERD, and other upper GI diagnoses.
• Application of time-series analysis to identify significant trends over the study period.

Main Results:

• Gastritis (60.8%), peptic ulcers (22.8%), and GERD (14.5%) were the most common diagnoses.
• A significant decline in gastritis and peptic ulcer incidence was observed.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) showed a bimodal incidence pattern with increased prevalence post-2018, alongside a rising average patient age and higher incidence in females.

Conclusions:

• Upper GI pathology trends show a decrease in gastritis and peptic ulcers, contrasted by a notable increase in GERD.
• The demographic profile of upper GI conditions is evolving, with GERD becoming increasingly prevalent in recent years.