Friday, January 20, 2017

Dyspepsia - red flags -

Etiology:


  • Peptic ulcer or  malignancy
  • Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
  • Hiatus hernia
  • Coeliac disease ( gluten intolerance, test for IgA-transglutaminas(tTG)-antibody)
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Gastroparesis
  • Medications: eg non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), bisphosphonates (such as alendronic acid or risedronate), iron supplements, nitrates, levodopa
  • Pancreaticobiliary disease eg gallstone disease, pancreatic malignancy
  • Systemic conditions eg diabetes, Addison’s disease. 

Red flags with indication for further investigation:



  • Age greater than 55 with new onset dyspepsia
  • Dysphagia
  • Unintentional weight loss ( then  order an endoscopy as soon as possible < 2 weeks)
  • GI bleeding
  • Trombocytose
  • Persistent vomiting
  • Iron deficiency anaemia
  • A palpable epigastric mass
  • An abnormal barium meal result
Investigation: endoscopy, if negative then CT abdomen : pancreatobiliary disease, gallstone or malignancy?

Resourses: BMJ learning

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