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In this study we measured the blood glucose before and after diagnostic upper GI endoscopy as an index of the stress induced by the procedure. The possible influence of various premedications in the blood glucose was also studied. One hundred and twenty consecutive non-diabetic patients of both sexes aged 20-75 years were randomly allocated into four groups (A,B,C,D) according to the premedication used. Sixty non-diabetic patients, who were not endoscoped, were allocated into three groups (C1, C2, C3) and served as controls. Blood glucose increased significantly in the patients but not in the controls. No correlation was found between the changes in the blood glucose and the time needed for the endoscopy. Changes in the blood glucose did not differ among the patients (F = 0.214; p = 0.886) irrespective of the premedication; however the increase was numerically less when 10% lidocaine spray was used as a premedication (Groups A and C). It is concluded that diagnostic upper GI endoscopy induced a significant increase in blood glucose, irrespective of the premedication. This increase seemed to be mainly the result of the stress induced by the irritation of the pharynx during the intubation.