Prevalence of Angiodysplasia Detected in Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Examinations

Background This study was performed to examine the prevalence of asymptomatic angiodysplasia detected in upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examinations and of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) suspected cases. Methodology The study participants were 5,034 individuals (3,206 males, 1,828 females; mean age 53.5 ± 9.8 years) who underwent an upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination as part of a medical check-up. The presence of angiodysplasia was examined endoscopically from the pharynx to duodenal second portion. HHT suspected cases were diagnosed based on the presence of both upper gastrointestinal angiodysplasia and recurrent nasal bleeding episodes occurring in the subject as well as a first-degree relative. Results Angiodysplasia was endoscopically detected in 494 (9.8%) of the 5,061 subjects. Those with angiodysplasia lesions in the pharynx, larynx, esophagus, stomach, and duodenum numbered 44, 4, 155, 322, and 12, respectively. None had symptoms of upper gastrointestinal bleeding or severe anemia. Subjects with angiodysplasia showed significant male predominance and were significantly older than those without. A total of 11 (0.2%) were diagnosed as HHT suspected cases by the presence of upper gastrointestinal angiodysplasia and recurrent epistaxis episodes from childhood in the subject as well as a first-degree relative. Conclusions Asymptomatic angiodysplasia was detected in 9.8% of the subjects who underwent screening upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examinations.