Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy as an initial investigation in dyspepsia--a Malaysian experience.

The role of fibreoptic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy as the primary investigation in Malaysians presenting with dyspepsia was studied in 1119 patients. Five hundred and sixty-two of the examinations (50 percent) were normal. Females below 40 years of age were very likely to have normal endoscopies. Peptic ulcer was seen in 21 percent of patients while visual evidence of gastric or duodenal mucosal disease (gastritis or non-erosive duodenitis) was reported in 20 percent. With increasing age, the prevalence of (1) peptic ulcer steadily increased and (2) nonulcer dyspepsia decreased.