Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in Abuja, North-central Nigeria: A 5-Year Institutional Review of Indications and Pathological Outcomes

Background: Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD) is a powerful diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the management of upper gastrointestinal tract diseases. Apart from clear mucosal views, OGD allows mucosal biopsies for histological examination or detection of Helicobacter pylori infection, brushings for cytology and aspirates for microbiological culture. Objectives: To review the indications, endoscopic findings and histopathological outcomes of the OGDs in a private hospital in Abuja, Nigeria. Methods: A retrospective observational study of retrieved records of all the patients who had upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for both diagnostic and therapeutic indications between January 2017 and December 2021. Results: One hundred and thirty patients had oesophagogastroduodenoscopy done. Their ages ranged from 15 to 82 years with a mean of 48.5 ± 15.6 SD. Out of 130 patients, 62(47.7%) were males and 68(52.3%) females giving a near-equal M:F ratio 1:1. Most patients 99(90%) were negative for H. pylori test. The commonest indications were epigastric pain 75(28.3%) and upper GI bleeding 66(24.9%). Epigastric mass, and postprandial vomiting were the least 2(0.8%). Therapeutic indications were insertion of gastric balloon 18(6.7%) and balloon dilatation 2(0.8%). Majority 60(46.0%) had gastritis; oesophageal varices and duodenal polyp were the least 3(2.3%). Normal OGD was 20(15.4%). Histological diagnosis of severe chronic gastritis was 71(63.4%), adenocarcinoma of the stomach 5(4.5%). Barrett’s oesophagus and gastrointestinal stromal tumour were the least, 1(0.9%) each. Vomiting 3(2.3%) was the only morbidity. There was no mortality. Conclusion: The commonest indication was chronic gastritis and OGD is safe. Therapeutic indication like gastric balloon insertion for weight reduction is increasing.