Impact of referral delays on dysphagia outcomes in a Saudi tertiary center

Table 1 Baseline characteristics and clinical features of patients with dysphagia referred to King Saud Medical City (2022-2023), n (%)

Baseline characteristics	Total study population (n = 168)	Early endoscopy (< 2 weeks) (n = 36)	Delayed endoscopy (≥ 2 weeks) (n = 45)	P value
Demographics
Age (years), mean ± SD	45.7 ± 17.7	48.0 ± 17.7	44.2 ± 16.7	0.365
Male gender	82 (50.0)	19 (52.8)	18 (40.0)	0.356
Referral source
Family medicine	116 (69.4)	19 (52.8)	38 (84.4)	0.004
Emergency department	19 (11.4)	7 (19.4)	0 (0.0)	0.002
General surgery	12 (7.2)	5 (13.9)	1 (2.2)	0.083
Otorhinolaryngology	7 (4.2)	2 (5.6)	3 (6.7)	1
Oncology	6 (3.6)	1 (2.8)	0 (0.0)	0.444
Infectious diseases	2 (1.2)	1 (2.8)	0 (0.0)	0.444
Clinical features
Duration ≥ 4 weeks	57 (44.5)	18 (50.0)	22 (48.9)	1
Progressive dysphagia	64 (48.5)	15 (41.7)	19 (42.2)	1
Retrosternal location	86 (66.7)	28 (84.8)	25 (58.1)	0.024
Weight loss	54 (42.2)	14 (38.9)	20 (44.4)	0.782
Heartburn	84 (64.6)	23 (63.9)	29 (64.4)	1
Regurgitation	76 (58.0)	21 (58.3)	25 (55.6)	0.98
Chest pain	47 (35.9)	12 (33.3)	16 (35.6)	1
Globus sensation	30 (23.4)	3 (8.3)	6 (13.3)	0.724
Diagnostic workup
Manometry performed	9 (8.5)1	3 (8.3)	4 (8.9)	1
24-hour pH study	3 (2.3)1	1 (2.8)	1 (2.2)	1
Esophagogram performed	65 (38.7)	12 (33.3)	18 (40.0)	0.647
Final diagnoses
GERD	76 (45.2)	14 (38.9)	20 (44.4)	0.782
Eosinophilic esophagitis	25 (14.8)	0 (0.0)	6 (13.3)	0.031
Complicated GERD with stricture	9 (5.4)	8 (22.2)	1 (2.2)	0.009
Malignancy	11 (6.5)	1 (2.8)	0 (0.0)	0.444
Achalasia	10 (5.9)	1 (2.8)	5 (11.1)	0.219
Other diagnoses	37 (22.0)	12 (33.3)	13 (28.9)	0.809
Clinical outcomes
Improved outcome	103 (61.3)	23 (63.9)	27 (60.0)	0.898

¹Percentage of 106 patients who underwent evaluation.

GERD: Gastroesophageal reflux disease.