Özet:

Background and Aims: The etiology of functional (nonulcer) dyspepsia is unknown and many factors are suspected. Giardia lamblia is the most common protozoan isolated from the gastrointestinal tract, and chronic giardiasis is considered as a cause of dyspepsia. Our aim was to determine the frequency of giardiasis in patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for dyspepsia and to compare with results of stool examination by microscopy. Materials and Methods: One hundred and four dyspeptic patients (63 F, 41 M, aged 17-80 years) were included in the study. Duodenal aspirates were collected in all and simultaneous stool examinations for Giardia lamblia were done. Results: Belching was the most prominent symptom in patients with dyspepsia (52.9%). Giardia positivity was 8.7% in duodenal aspirates (1 trophozoite, 8 cysts) and 3.8% in stool examination simultaneously. There was a male predominance (12% vs 6%). All patients with giardiasis had epigastric pain or abdominal discomfort. Following the appropriate antiparasite treatment, dyspeptic complaints were improved in all Giardia-positive patients. Conclusions: There was no significant difference between the two methods statistically. This study suggests that duodenal aspirates for giardiasis may be unnecessary if stool examination with new techniques is used for diagnosis. If repeated stool examination results in negative findings, but the diagnosis is still suspected, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsies and duodenal aspirate is a reasonable alternative for diagnosis.

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