Patterns of Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Findings at Endoscopy Unit of Jimma University Medical Center, Jimma, Ethiopia

Background: Upper gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are common causes of morbidity worldwide, presenting diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Endoscopy remains the gold standard for diagnosing these conditions. However, data on the regional patterns of upper GI diseases in Ethiopia are limited. This study aimed to describe the endoscopic findings and their associations among patients undergoing upper GI endoscopy at Jimma University Medical Center (JUMC). Methods: A retrospective descriptive study reviewed endoscopy reports and medical records of 435 patients who underwent upper GI endoscopy at JUMC between September 2021 and September 2022. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, clinical indications, and endoscopic findings were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and associations between clinical features and diagnoses were examined. Results: The mean age of patients was approximately 42.5 (SD ± 16.8), with males constituting 52%. The most common indications for endoscopy were dyspepsia (30.11%), dysphagia (20.69%), and upper GI bleeding (18.39%). Erosive gastritis was the most frequent endoscopic finding, observed in 47.35% of cases, followed by duodenal ulcer (31.7%), GERD (17.9%), and esophageal cancer (14%). Notably, esophageal cancer accounted for 14% of findings, highlighting its significance in this population. Benign lesions predominated among patients under 45 years, whereas malignant lesions like esophageal cancer were more common in older age groups. There was a significant association between certain indications (e.g., dysphagia, bleeding) and specific diagnoses (p<0.05). Conclusion: The study underscores the predominance of benign inflammatory conditions, such as erosive gastritis, and highlights the considerable presence of esophageal cancer among patients undergoing endoscopy at JUMC. These findings suggest the need to improve endoscopic access, implement early detection programs, and develop targeted interventions to address the regional burden of upper GI diseases.