Reasons for and outcome of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in patients aged 85 years or more: retrospective study

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopyhas proved to be safe and gives a high diagnostic yield in elderly people.1–5The prevalence of gastrointestinal diseases increases with age, and elderly people are also more vulnerable to the complications of these diseases. We retrospectively studied 154 gastroscopies performed in patients aged 85 years or more to clarify the indications for and clinical findings of gastroscopy in very old people. We also studied the influence of the examination on treatment and symptoms. Between 11 October 1993 and 3 October 1996, 190 gastroscopies were performed in this department on patients aged 85 years or more. Seven patients were excludedbecause of failed intubation and 13 because of inadequate records. Sixteen re- endoscopieswere also excluded; thus 154 gastroscopies were included in the study. The mean age of patients was 88.5 years (range …