Novel approaches to upper gastrointestinal conditions: a focus on bleeding and malignancy

Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GI) conditions account for substantial burden and use of healthcare resources. It is estimated that GI conditions are responsible for 15-20% of general practitioner visits, hospital admissions, and drug use. Many of those conditions are related to the upper GI tract, particularly the lower esophagus and stomach. GI endoscopy is the mainstay in diagnosis of these conditions, and plays an important role in the management and treatment of most upper GI symptoms and diseases. In light of the expanding technological abilities, the role of endoscopy will be even more pronounced in the future.1 This thesis focuses on the prevention and endoscopic management of long-term complications of upper GI conditions, in particular bleeding and premalignant gastric lesions.