Management of Dyspepsia in the Emergency Department of a Teaching Hospital in Southwest Nigeria: a 5-year Review

Solomon Olusoji Abidemi, Solomon Oluremi Olayinka, Deji-Dada Olabisi Olamide, Ajayi Akande Oladimeji,Wealth Charity Anegbemu

Dyspepsia, Emergency Department, Management, Primary Care

Background: Approach to management of an acute medical condition within first 24 hours of presenting at an emergency department is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality. Dyspepsia is one of the most common medical presentations seen in emergency settings. This study was determined the pattern of diagnosis among patient that presented with dyspeptic symptoms, their average length of stay, types of treatment and investigation prescribed.

Materials and Method: A retrospective hospital-based, cross-sectional study.

The case notes numbers of patients that presented with acute dyspepsia at the Accident and Emergency department of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti with key words like dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease (PUD), acute exacerbation of PUD, gastritis, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), in their diagnosis were pulled out. The case notes were retrieved, and information were recorded inside a standardized proforma.

Result: Majority of the surveyed 112 (88.2%) presented with acute symptoms of < 2weeks duration, similarly majority 106 (83.5%) were admitted on presentation with majority of those admitted being for ≤ 1 dayAbdominal pain was observed to be the most prevalent symptom among the surveyed followed by vomiting. Majority of the surveyed had between 1&2 dyspeptic symptoms on presentation. There was significant difference between diagnosis made by casualty officers and the medical team. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) were mot commonly prescribed for acute dyspepsia followed antibiotics. Endoscopy was poorly prescribed to patients that presented with acute dyspepsia.

Conclusion: Majority of dyspepsia presents in acute phase. It is important that training of first responders be intensified to guarantee better outcome whenever they present in the emergency departments in Sub Sahara Africa.

https://doi.org/10.31871/WJRR.16.1.9