Background: We studied the evolution and diagnostic tests performed in patients with dyspepsia aged less than 55 years.
Patients and method: We included 289 patients under age 55 with clinically manifest dyspepsia who were referred for specialized digestive evaluation from the primary care setting.
Results: One half of patients consulted again in the course of the study for the same symptoms. In 131 patients (45%), an endoscopy was proposed at some stage during the study. Gastroduodenal pathology was identified in 37% of the patients who underwent an endoscopy.
Conclusions: In these patients, the approach adopted by the gastroenterologist must comprise assessment of the symptoms with endoscopy.