A follow-up survey of patients with dyspepsia in one general practice

Eighty-three patients who had been investigated by cholecystogram, barium meal and fibreoptic endoscopy more than two years previously were interviewed to enquire into their reactions to the investigations carried out, their present symptoms, and their present smoking and alcohol consumption. Comparisons were made with previously recorded observations. Those who still complained of severe dyspepsia were asked to attend for a repeat endoscopy. Sixty-three per cent of patients were asymptomatic; 13 per cent had recurrent dyspepsia, and 24 per cent had persistent dyspepsia. Thirty-nine per cent of smokers were found to have stopped altogether following medical advice.Both radiological and endoscopic methods of investigation proved acceptable. A majority of patients preferred endoscopy to barium meal.