Gastric outlet obstruction in Ugandans: a possible ethnic association

ABSTRACT

Twenty six-adults referred to the Radiology Department; Mulago Hosptial with clinical signs of gastric outlet obstruction were prospectively studied. Relevant demographic data were noted following which the patients underwent a standard upper gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) Barium study in order to define the site; extent and cause of their obstruction. In addition; they underwent endoscopy nad surgery for further diagnostic and therapeutic puposes. Duodenal peptic ulceration was the commonest cause accounting gor obstruction in 19 out of the 26 patients. There was a male to female ratio of 32. There was a striking prepondance of patients belonging to the Nkore tribe; a native tribe in Western Uganda. Of the 14 Nkore patient; 12 had obstruction due to chronic duedenal ulceration.. In the majority of patients the obstruction was decompensated or partially compensated. Duodenal ulceration was the usual cause of gastric outlet obstruction and a significant proportion of patients came from Nkore tribe. A larger study to investigate this tribal distribution and to seek specific casual factors and associations is indicated