| Title: |
A REVIEW OF GASTRIC ULCER FOLLOW-UP PRACTICES IN A TERTIARY CARE GASTROENTEROLOGY SERVICE |
| Authors: |
McGlacken-Byrne, S; Lahiff, C; MacMathuna, P; Leyden, J |
| Publisher Information: |
BMJ Publishing Group Ltd |
| Publication Year: |
2013 |
| Collection: |
HighWire Press (Stanford University) |
| Subject Terms: |
Poster presentations |
| Description: |
Introduction The Joint Advisory Group (JAG) guidelines1 recommend follow-up gastroscopy within 12 weeks for patients with gastric ulcers at index gastroscopy. Aims/Background This study reviews current practice in relation to gastric ulcer follow-up at a tertiary care university hospital. Method We conducted a retrospective review of over 700 gastroscopies performed in a four month period from June to September 2012. Patients with newly diagnosed ulcers (n=29) were included in our primary analysis. Those undergoing follow-up endoscopy for previously identified gastric ulcers (n=8) were also included. Results Gastric ulcers were found in 29 patients during the study period. Twenty three (79%) patients had biopsies taken. A plan for follow up gastroscopy was stated in 14 (48%) reports. Of these, 12 patients (86%) had follow up procedures booked and 9 (64%) attended for repeat gastroscopies. Median time to follow-up in this group was 61 days (range 3–194) and all patients had either healed (n=3) or healing (n=6) ulcers at follow up. Of patients undergoing gastroscopy for ulcers diagnosed prior to the study period (n=8), persistent mucosal abnormalities were noted in 7 (88%) of patients. Of these, 4 patients (50%) had biopsies taken. Two of these patients (25%) had a third gastroscopy booked for follow-up. Conclusion The data suggests that follow-up practices for gastric ulcers are not currently meeting standards set out by JAG guidelines. The performance of follow-up gastroscopy earlier than the recommended interval may result in higher prevalence of persistent mucosal abnormalities, with increased resource use accruing in terms of biopsies taken and further endoscopy. |
| Document Type: |
text |
| File Description: |
text/html |
| Language: |
English |
| Relation: |
http://gut.bmj.com/cgi/content/short/62/Suppl_2/A40-b; http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2013-305143.97 |
| DOI: |
10.1136/gutjnl-2013-305143.97 |
| Availability: |
http://gut.bmj.com/cgi/content/short/62/Suppl_2/A40-b; https://doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2013-305143.97 |
| Rights: |
Copyright (C) 2013, BMJ Publishing Group |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.CFEC8613 |
| Database: |
BASE |