The pre-coded data were analyzed. The demographic and clinical characteristics of patients did not correlate with endoscopic findings. There were no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of HP among patients with various endoscopic findings. HP infection is common in Kuwaiti dyspeptic patients referred for endoscopy, irrespective of their demographic and clinical features or the underlying cause of dyspepsia. Noninvasive methods to detect HP are not valid alternatives to endoscopy in the work-up of dyspeptic patients.
Dyspepsia is defined as pain or discomfort centered in the upper abdomen.
It may be associated with distention, belching, nausea or anorexia. Less common causes of dyspepsia include gastric cancer and pancreatic disease. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is currently the main diagnostic modality in the work-up of dyspeptic patients. Received 21 March 1998. of dyspepsia in the population and the expenses incurred by endoscopy, dyspepsia is a major burden on health system resources. Screening for HP can now be done by noninvasive techniques, such as serologic tests or urea-breath tests.