Clinical summary of the first 500 patients in the gastrointestinal soldiers' clinic in beilinson hospital

Introduction: Soldiers' clinic for gastrointestinal diseases was established in Rabin Medical Center in 2006, for better managing these problems. Aim: To evaluate diagnosis and treatment in the first 500 soldiers treated in our clinic. Methods: Demographic and clinical data were collected for every soldier: age, sex, main reason for referral, background diseases and medical family history. The number of visits was counted and the referrals for laboratory and diagnostic procedures computed. For every procedure, compliance, cost, diagnostic yield and its proportion in comparison with the other referrals was performed. Results: The main reasons for referral to our clinic were abdominal pain (46.6%), diarrhea (13.8%) and heartburn (9.4%). Family history of colorectal cancer was found in 20.6% of the soldiers. Out of 608 procedures performed 29.2% were positive. Hydrogen breath test for lactose intolerance was recommended for 9.6% and had the highest diagnostic yield of 52.0%. High yield was also found for 13C-urea breath test for Helicobacter pylori, gastroscopy, abdominal computerized tomography, and colonoscopy: 28.4%, 31.6%, 18.5% and 13.5% respectively. In comparison with abdominal ultrasound the diagnostic yield was significantly better for gastroscopy and both breath tests. The total cost was 360,244 IS. A significant diagnosis was performed in 317 soldiers (63.4%). The average cost per diagnosis was 1135.4 IS. Conclusion: Gastrointestinal clinic for soldiers performed by a senior, experienced gastroenterologist is important for better diagnostic yield and cost saving in this young population.