Aims Young people are referred to upper endoscopy for several indications. We aimed to
investigate the frequency rate of abnormal findings in upper endoscopy among people
aged 45 and younger compared to older subjects.
Methods A large, multi-center, cross-sectional, retrospective study included all first upper
endoscopies between 2020 and 2023 in seven endoscopy departments. The indications
and findings of the upper endoscopy were compared between two age groups.
Results We included 34,487 younger (≤ 45 years) patients and 86,392 older (> 45 years). The
mean age among the young group was 33±7.8 compared to 60.9±9.5 of the older group,
females 57.1% and 58.7%. Common indications for gastroscopy in older patients included
anemia (10.6% vs. 6%) and weight loss (3% vs. 2.4%), while young patients were more
frequently presented with abdominal pain/dyspepsia (53.6% vs. 43.4%) and nausea/vomiting
(4.6% vs. 1.7%). Our results demonstrated a higher prevalence of hiatal hernia (29.9%
vs. 15.6%), Barrett’s esophagus (2.4% vs. 1.5%), (29% vs 24.5%), and stomach polyps
(6.3% vs. 2.1%). Esophageal and gastric carcinomas were rare but more prevalent in
older individuals. Overall, 61% of older and 46.4% of younger patients had abnormal
findings.
Conclusions Our study highlights age-specific differences in indications and findings among patients
undergoing upper endoscopy. Abnormal findings among young people are lower compared
to older people, however, about 46% of the young people had an abnormal finding in
upper endoscopy.
