M. Heikkinen et al., GENERAL-PRACTITIONERS APPROACH TO DYSPEPSIA - SURVEY OF CONSULTATION FREQUENCIES, TREATMENT, AND INVESTIGATIONS, Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology, 31(7), 1996, pp. 648-653
Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of
patient visits for dyspepsia in primary care. The diagnostic approache
s made and drug treatment given by general practitioners were recorded
. Methods: In a cross-sectional study 36,230 patients over 15 years of
age visited their health center in an area serving a population of 50
6,000 inhabitants, between 6 and 19 May 1991. The frequency of dyspeps
ia was 2.1% (n = 766). These patients formed the basis of this study.
Results: The incidence of dyspepsia leading to a health center visit w
as 20.9/1000 inhabitants/year. Patients older than 45 years consulted
their general practitioners for dyspepsia more often than younger pati
ents. Men older than 45 years of age had had their symptoms longer bef
ore seeking medical advice than younger men or women of the same age (
p = 0.03 and p < 0.05, respectively). In association with the first vi
sit, older (over 45 years) patients were evaluated more frequently (p
= 0.03) by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy than younger (15-44 years)
ones. Upper abdominal ultrasound was performed almost as often as upp
er gastrointestinal endoscopy. Sucralfate was prescribed for dyspeptic
symptoms more often than H-2-blockers or omeprazole, which were mainl
y used in patients with a definitive diagnosis. Conclusions: The frequ
ency of medical visits for dyspepsia increased with age. Older men sou
ght medical advice for dyspepsia after a longer delay than others. Upp
er abdominal endoscopy was performed in association with the. first vi
sit in older patients more often than in younger ones.