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Low Yield and High Cost of Gastric and Duodenal Biopsies for Investigation of Symptoms of Abdominal Pain During Routine Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

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Abstract

Background

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) referrals for symptoms of abdominal pain are common. Current guidelines for dyspepsia recommend biopsies of gastric mucosa for Helicobacter pylori in all patients referred for EGD. Our study aimed to determine the clinical yield and cost-effectiveness of gastric and duodenal biopsy in EGDs performed for abdominal pain.

Methods

Three hundred and ninety-one outpatient EGDs performed at a single academic tertiary care center were studied. For each procedure, endoscopic as well as pathologic findings from the stomach and duodenum were then recorded. Charge of biopsy was calculated using the increased charges for professional fees, forceps, and pathology fees when a biopsy was performed.

Results

Gastric biopsies were obtained on 304 EGDs performed with 13 (4.2%) patients diagnosed with H. pylori. In patients with abnormal gastric mucosa on EGD, 11 of 167 (6.5%) were positive for H. pylori compared to 2 of 137 (1.4%) with normal appearing mucosa (p = 0.02). Charge per diagnosis of H. pylori for normal mucosa was calculated to be $43,073. Duodenal biopsies were performed in 263 cases. Celiac disease was diagnosed in 4 of 263 cases (1.5%). Of patients with abnormal duodenal mucosa on EGD, 1 of 36 (2.7%) were positive for celiac disease compared to 3 of 227 (1.3%) with normal mucosa (p = 0.57). Charge per diagnosis of celiac disease for normal mucosa was calculated to be $47,580.

Conclusion

Routine biopsy during EGD for symptoms of abdominal pain has low yield with high costs. Practice of routine biopsies of normal appearing tissue and the present guidelines should be reconsidered in the investigation of abdominal pain with EGD.

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Author's contribution

EMN contributed to study design, data acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data, and drafting of article. ALB helped with data acquisition and drafting article. ICG, MEB, and DVG helped in drafting article and final approval. PRP contributed to study design and concept, interpretation of data, drafting of article, and final approval.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Wisconsin – School of Medicine and Public Health, 1685 Highland Ave, 4th Floor UWMF Centennial Building, Madison, WI, 53705, USA

    Eric M. Nelsen, Ian C. Grimes, Mark E. Benson, Deepak V. Gopal & Patrick R. Pfau

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA

    Abby Lochmann-Bailkey

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  1. Eric M. Nelsen
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  2. Abby Lochmann-Bailkey
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  3. Ian C. Grimes
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  5. Deepak V. Gopal
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  6. Patrick R. Pfau
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Correspondence to Eric M. Nelsen.

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Nelsen, E.M., Lochmann-Bailkey, A., Grimes, I.C. et al. Low Yield and High Cost of Gastric and Duodenal Biopsies for Investigation of Symptoms of Abdominal Pain During Routine Esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Dig Dis Sci 62, 418–423 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-016-4405-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-016-4405-x

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