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<p>Gastric cancer remains a major global health concern due to its late-stage diagnosis and high mortality rate. Early detection through gastroscopy can significantly improve outcomes. Screening programs have shown success in Eastern Asia, but their implementation and effectiveness in Western countries require further investigation. The present study was designed to investigate real-world gastroscopy utilization and factors associated with referral to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in primary care, rather than to evaluate participation in an established gastric cancer screening program. This study, part of the GastroScreening project, aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of gastroscopy among individuals aged 40–79 in Brescia, Northern Italy. The study involved 4426 participants who completed an online questionnaire covering sociodemographic factors, lifestyle habits, family history, and symptoms. Results Of the participants, 33.3% had ever undergone gastroscopy, 9.0% reported undergoing periodic gastroscopy, and 4.5% had received a gastroscopy in the past year. Alarm symptoms, such as nocturnal epigastric pain and fatigue, were present in 16.3% of the sample, while non-specific symptoms were reported by 60% of participants. Factors such as family history of gastric cancer, contact with people infected by Helicobacter pylori, and the presence of alarm symptoms were associated with increased likelihood of undergoing gastroscopy. The observed age- and sex-distribution of gastroscopy utilization did not mirror the corresponding age- and sex-distribution of gastric cancer incidence. Additionally, 1.8% of participants reported previous gastric surgery, primarily for bariatric reasons. The study highlights that only a small fraction of the general population undergo gastroscopy, moreover the sex-age distribution of gastroscopy utilization did not parallel the sex-age distribution of gastric cancer incidence. Alarm symptoms, together with family history of gastric cancer and contact with people infected by Helicobacter pylori seem to promote utilization of gastroscopy.</p>

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Prevalence and determinants of gastroscopy in Northern Italy

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月29日

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  • Luigi Martinelli,
  • Ilaria Benzoni,
  • Martina Bonafede,
  • Alessandra Lugo,
  • Silvano Gallus,
  • Irene Possenti,
  • Gian Luca Baiocchi,
  • Giuseppe Verlato

摘要

Gastric cancer remains a major global health concern due to its late-stage diagnosis and high mortality rate. Early detection through gastroscopy can significantly improve outcomes. Screening programs have shown success in Eastern Asia, but their implementation and effectiveness in Western countries require further investigation. The present study was designed to investigate real-world gastroscopy utilization and factors associated with referral to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in primary care, rather than to evaluate participation in an established gastric cancer screening program. This study, part of the GastroScreening project, aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of gastroscopy among individuals aged 40–79 in Brescia, Northern Italy. The study involved 4426 participants who completed an online questionnaire covering sociodemographic factors, lifestyle habits, family history, and symptoms. Results Of the participants, 33.3% had ever undergone gastroscopy, 9.0% reported undergoing periodic gastroscopy, and 4.5% had received a gastroscopy in the past year. Alarm symptoms, such as nocturnal epigastric pain and fatigue, were present in 16.3% of the sample, while non-specific symptoms were reported by 60% of participants. Factors such as family history of gastric cancer, contact with people infected by Helicobacter pylori, and the presence of alarm symptoms were associated with increased likelihood of undergoing gastroscopy. The observed age- and sex-distribution of gastroscopy utilization did not mirror the corresponding age- and sex-distribution of gastric cancer incidence. Additionally, 1.8% of participants reported previous gastric surgery, primarily for bariatric reasons. The study highlights that only a small fraction of the general population undergo gastroscopy, moreover the sex-age distribution of gastroscopy utilization did not parallel the sex-age distribution of gastric cancer incidence. Alarm symptoms, together with family history of gastric cancer and contact with people infected by Helicobacter pylori seem to promote utilization of gastroscopy.