A cost-effectiveness analysis of prescribing strategies in the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Economic evaluation of proton pump inhibitors in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

Our aim was to systematically review the cost-effectiveness of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapies and surgical interventions for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).

DESIGN

The study design was a systematic review of economic evaluations.

DATA SOURCES

We searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science for publications from January 1990 to March 2023. Only articles published in English were eligible for inclusion.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Studies were included if they were full economic evaluations comparing PPIs with surgical or alternative therapies for GORD. Excluded were narrative reviews, non-peer-reviewed articles, and studies not reporting cost-effectiveness outcomes.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Two reviewers independently extracted data on study design, comparators, time horizon, and cost-effectiveness outcomes. The quality of studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist for economic evaluations.

RESULTS

A total of 25 studies met the inclusion criteria. Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) was found to be cost-effective in long-term horizons, while PPIs were preferred for short- to medium-term outcomes. Differences in healthcare settings and methodological approaches influenced the study findings.

CONCLUSIONS

Strategic purchasing decisions for GORD treatment should consider the time horizon, healthcare setting, and cost structures. LNF may provide better long-term value, but PPIs remain effective for managing symptoms in the short term.

STUDY REGISTRATION

PROSPERO, CRD42023474181.

Impact of Ramadan Fasting on the Severity of Symptoms Among a Cohort of Patients With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

INTRODUCTION

 Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition caused by the reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus. Heartburn, chest discomfort, and regurgitation are the main symptoms. Medications, surgical procedures, and lifestyle modification are considered treatment options. Fasting is believed to be one of the lifestyle modifications that helps minimize GERD symptoms. Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, and smoking from dawn until dusk. The objectives of our study were to investigate the relationship between fasting and GERD symptoms and evaluate how fasting affects GERD symptoms in Saudi Arabia.

METHODOLOGY

This was a longitudinal study that selected GERD patients for its consecutive sampling. The patients answered the questionnaires at two separate times: once during Ramadan and once after Ramadan. A validated gastroesophageal reflux disease health-related quality of life (GERD-HRQL) self-administered survey was used.

RESULT

After Ramadan, heartburn symptoms significantly decreased, particularly when lying down. Overall, the 45-point heartburn score decreased from 17.9 during Ramadan to 14.3 thereafter. The regurgitation score decreased from 12.3 during Ramadan to 9.9 after fasting, with statistical significance (P = .049). Although satisfaction was much higher after Ramadan (17% vs. 15.1%), there was no statistical significance (P = .422), and 45.3% of the patients were satisfied with their health state during Ramadan compared to 34% after Ramadan. There was no relationship between the severity of GERD symptoms before or after fasting and the type of food, the timing of eating, or the amount of food consumed.

CONCLUSION

The results suggested that Ramadan fasting may improve GERD symptoms. However, more studies are required to validate these results and comprehend the underlying mechanisms.

Prescription changes in patients with gastrointestinal disorders after withdrawal of ranitidine: a nationwide population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Ranitidine products contain unacceptable levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine. This study aimed to investigate changes in the treatment regimen and their influencing factors after the ranitidine recall.

METHODS

This retrospective study used data from nationwide Korean claims from 2019. Patients with gastrointestinal disorders treated with ranitidine for at least a month on 25 September 2019, were selected for this study. Other histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs), proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), potassium-competitive acid blockers (PCABs), and prostaglandin E1 analogs were administered as alternatives to ranitidine. Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed to gauge the time until switching to alternative drugs and assess the influencing factors.

RESULTS

In total, 7502 patients were included in this study, among which 5164 (68.8%) switched from ranitidine to an alternative drug. The most prescribed alternative drugs were H2RAs, followed by PPIs, PCABs, and prostaglandin E1 analogs. Increasing age; Medical Aid insurance (MedAid); and a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, asthma, and osteoarthritis were associated with a higher probability of switching treatments. Patients with concomitant gastroesophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcers were more likely to switch to alternative drugs than patients with gastritis.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately two-thirds of patients with gastrointestinal disorders switched from ranitidine to alternative drugs within 3 months after ranitidine withdrawal. The Cox regression analysis showed that age (>55 years); insurance type (MedAid); comorbidities, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, asthma, and osteoarthritis, and gastrointestinal disorder severity influenced the switch from ranitidine to alternative drugs.

Objective Outcomes of an Extended Anti-reflux Mucosectomy in the Treatment of PPI-Dependent Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (with Video)

BACKGROUND

Anti-reflux mucosectomy (ARMS) is a choice for proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-dependent patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We present an extended anti-reflux mucosectomy, named ligation-assisted anti-reflux mucosectomy (L-ARMS). The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of the procedure and short-term outcomes on PPI use and symptom resolution.

METHODS

Institutional review board approval was obtained for retrospective review of a prospectively collected database including patients who underwent L-ARMS. L-ARMS includes mucosa ligation and endoscopic mucosectomy without submucosal injection around the squamocolumnar junction. The GERD symptoms, endoscopy, 24-h pH monitoring results, and manometry were collected by chart review. Voluntary validated surveys assessed symptomatic improvement over time.

RESULTS

There were 69 patients available for review. The procedure was technically completed in all cases with no severe complications, and the average operation time was 33 min. At 6 months after L-ARMS, treatment with PPIs had been halted in 55.1% of the patients, 30.4% of the enrolled patients used PPIs occasionally, and the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, DeMeester scores, and GERD-health-related quality of life questionnaire (GERD-HRQL) scores showed a significant improvement compared with the baseline measurements (P < 0.001). Forty-five patients complained of mild dysphagia and were relieved in 4 weeks with no specific treatment. Compared to patients without dysphagia, patients complained of dysphagia after surgery had better clinical benefits indicated by GERD-HRQL and DeMeester score.

CONCLUSIONS

As a modified ARMS, L-ARMS is an effective procedure for controlling GERD symptoms, esophageal acid exposure, and LES pressure, which can be safely performed endoscopically in a time-saving and simple manner.

The management of upper gastrointestinal symptoms: A study on community pharmacies in Italy

Upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are usual complaints among patients presenting to Italian community pharmacies. However, information on treatment history of those patients is often lacking. This descriptive, cross-sectional study aims at exploring the medication history of individuals with upper GI tract symptoms visiting one of the 20 enrolled community pharmacies, over a period of 7 months, based on the administration of a questionnaire. Of 1,020 interviewees, 62.1% had asked for a medical consultation. The most frequent symptom was epigastric burning (31.8%), followed by acid regurgitation (14.6%) and post-prandial fullness (12.0%). Of the 1,609 therapies, proton pump inhibitors constituted the most represented therapeutic class (35.6%) followed by antacids (17.5%) and alginate-based products (17.2%). In treating symptoms, 38.1% of the patients do not seek medical advice, while 42.0% rely on non-prescription therapies. As findings suggest, support to patients with GI disorders in community pharmacies can be enhanced for a safer self-medication.

New treatment method for refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): C-BLART (clip band ligation anti-reflux therapy)-a short-term study

OBJECTIVES

C-BLART (clip band ligation anti-reflux therapy) has been reported as a new alternative endoscopic treatment for refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This study evaluated the short-term efficacy of C-BLART for controlling GERD symptoms, esophageal acid exposure, esophagitis, and quality of life.

METHODS

Patients with refractory GERD were recruited for a nonrandomized concurrent comparison, with 60 patients in the C-BLART with tailored PPI use group and 43 patients in the BID proton pump inhibitor (PPI) group. The primary outcomes were esophageal acid exposure and the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure. The GERD-Q score, esophagitis grade, and adherence degree were also recorded. Crossover from the BID PPI group to the C-BLART with tailored PPI use group was allowed after 6 months.

RESULTS

The LES pressure and GERD-Q score improved more in the C-BLART with tailored PPI use group (P < 0.001) after 6 months, with no significant difference in the decrease in esophagitis compared with the baseline endoscopic results (P = 0.268). Treatment with PPIs had been halted in 43% of the patients at 6 months after C-BLART. At 12 months after C-BLART, the DeMeester score showed a significant improvement compared with the baseline measurements (P = 0.025). The GERD-Q score and LES pressure did not significantly improve compared with the baseline values (P = 0.102, P = 0.184) in C-BLART with tailored PPI use group. At 6 to 12 months, n = 6 (10%) patients had undergone laparoscopic fundoplication to control their symptoms in all the patients after C-BLART.

CONCLUSION

C-BLART is a novel treatment for controlling refractory GERD symptoms, esophageal acid exposure, and LES pressure according to this short-term analysis, safely performed endoscopically to create an anti-reflux barrier with ligated bands. Despite improvements in DeMeester score, LES pressure, and GERD-Q scores in the C-BLART with tailored PPI use group, many patients continue to demonstrate objective evidence of GERD.

Cost-effective Analysis of Proton Pump Inhibitors in Long-term Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Narrative Review

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common gastrointestinal disorder that results from regurgitation of acid from the stomach into the esophagus. Treatment available for GERD includes lifestyle changes, antacids, histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H₂RAs), proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), and anti-reflux surgery. Aim: The aim of this review is to assess the cost-effectiveness of the use of PPIs in the long-term management of patients with GERD. Method: We searched in PubMed to identify related original articles with close consideration based on inclusion and exclusion criteria to choose the best studies for this narrative review. The first section compares the cost-effectiveness of PPIs with H₂RAs in long-term heartburn management. The other sections shall only discuss the cost-effectiveness of PPIs in 5 different strategies, namely, continuous (step-up, step-down, and maintenance), on-demand, and intermittent therapies. Results: Of 55 articles published, 10 studies published from 2000 to 2015 were included. Overall, PPIs are more effective in relieving heartburn in comparison with ranitidine. The use of PPIs in managing heartburn in long-term consumption of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) has higher cost compared with H₂RA. However, if the decision-maker is willing to pay more than US$174 788.60 per extra quality-adjusted life year (QALY), then the optimal strategy is traditional NSAID (tNSAID) and PPIs. The probability of being cost-effective was also highest for NSAID and PPI co-therapy users. On-demand PPI treatment strategy showed dominant with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of US$2197 per QALY gained and was most effective and cost saving compared with all the other treatments. The average cost-effectiveness ratio was lower for rabeprazole therapy than for ranitidine therapy. Conclusion: Our review revealed that long-term treatment with PPIs is effective but costly. To achieve long-term cost-effective approach, we recommend on-demand approach to treat heartburn symptoms, but if the symptoms persist, treatment with continuous step-down therapy should be applied.

Clinical efficacy of 60-mg dexlansoprazole and 40-mg esomeprazole after 24 weeks for the on-demand treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease grades A and B: a prospective randomized trial

Purpose: Research comparing the clinical efficacy of dexlansoprazole and esomeprazole has been limited. This study aims to compare the clinical efficacy of single doses of dexlansoprazole (modified-release 60 mg) and esomeprazole (40 mg) after 24-week follow-up in patients with mild erosive esophagitis. Methods: We enrolled 86 adult GERD subjects, randomized in a 1:1 ratio to two sequence groups defining the order in which they received single doses of dexlansoprazole (n=43) and esomeprazole (n=43) for 8 weeks as initial treatment. Patients displaying complete symptom resolution (CSR) by the end of initial treatment (8 weeks) were switched to on-demand therapy until the end of 24 weeks. Follow-up endoscopy was performed either at the end of 24 weeks or when severe reflux symptoms occurred. Five patients were lost to follow-up, leaving 81 patients (dexlansoprazole, n=41; esomeprazole, n=40) in the per-protocol analysis. Results: The GERDQ scores at 4-, 8-, 12-, 16-, 20-, and 24-week posttreatment were less than the baseline score. The CSR, rate of symptom relapse, days to symptom resolution, sustained healing rate of erosive esophagitis, treatment failure rate, and the number of tablets taken in 24 weeks were similar in both groups. The esomeprazole group had more days with reflux symptoms than the dexlansoprazole group (37.3±37.8 vs 53.9±54.2; P=0.008). In the dexlansoprazole group, patients exhibited persistent improvement in the GERDQ score during the on-demand period (week 8 vs week 24; P<0.001) but not in the esomeprazole group (week 8 vs week 24; P=0.846). Conclusions: This study suggests that the symptom relief effect for GERD after 24 weeks was similar for dexlansoprazole and esomeprazole. Dexlansoprazole exhibited fewer days with reflux symptoms in the 24-week study period, with better persistent improvement in the GERDQ score in the on-demand period. (ClinicalTrials. gov number: NCT03128736).

The Inappropriate Prescription of Oral Proton Pump Inhibitors in the Hospital Setting: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are used to treat upper gastrointestinal tract disorders. Their efficacy and perceived safety have led to widespread prescription. This is not without effect, in terms of adverse events and resource utilization.

AIM

To prospectively assess oral PPI prescription in hospitalized patients.

METHODS

PPI prescription in consecutive hospitalized patients was assessed. Indication and dose were assessed by patient interview and medical record review. Comparisons with current published prescribing guidelines were made.

RESULTS

Four hundred and forty-seven patients were included. 57.5 % were prescribed PPIs. 26.8 % prescriptions were for inappropriate or unclear indications. 68.4 % were on higher doses than guidelines recommended, of which 41.6 % could have undergone dose reduction, and 26.5 % discontinued. In a multivariate analysis, age, gender, and length of stay had no association with PPI prescription. Although aspirin use was appropriately associated with PPI prescription (RR: 1.8, 95 % CI 1.127-3.69; p < 0.05), the PPI was often given at higher than recommended doses (p < 0.001). This may reflect older age and multiple risk factors in this subset. Surgical patients commenced more PPIs and at higher dosages (p < 0.001). Omeprazole and lansoprazole were most often inappropriately prescribed (p < 0.01, p < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Inappropriate PPI therapy is still a problem in hospitals, though it appears to be at a lower level compared with previous studies. Awareness of evidence-based guidelines and targeted medicine reconciliation strategies are essential for cost-effective and safe use of these medications.

Eight weeks of esomeprazole therapy reduces symptom relapse, compared with 4 weeks, in patients with Los Angeles grade A or B erosive esophagitis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

There is disagreement over the ideal duration of initial proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease, and whether prolonged therapy increases healing of the esophagitis and prevents symptom relapse. We performed a multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled study to compare the efficacies of 4 weeks vs 8 weeks of PPI therapy in reducing reflux symptoms and preventing symptom relapse in patients with Los Angeles grade A or B erosive esophagitis.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with symptomatic Los Angeles grade A or B erosive esophagitis were assigned randomly to groups given daily esomeprazole (40 mg) for 4 weeks (n = 207) or 8 weeks (n = 201) as their initial treatment. Patients with complete symptom resolution were switched to on-demand therapy until the end of week 20. All patients underwent follow-up endoscopy at the end of week 20. Symptom relapse was defined as 2 or more episodes of troublesome reflux symptoms per week or ingestion of PPI for more than 7 days within 4 weeks, owing to reflux symptoms.

RESULTS

The 4-week and 8-week groups had comparable rates of complete symptom resolution (77.9% vs 82.1%). However, the cumulative 12-week incidence of symptom relapse was higher for the 4-week group than for the 8-week group (62.5% vs 47.8%; difference, 14.7%; 95% confidence interval, 3.7%-25.7%; P = .009). No significant difference was observed between groups in the proportions of patients with sustained healing at the end of week 20 (49.6% vs 40.9%; P = .160).

CONCLUSIONS

Prolonging PPI therapy from 4 weeks to 8 weeks does not appear to increase the rate of complete symptom resolution in patients with mild erosive esophagitis. However, 8 weeks of PPI therapy reduces symptom relapse, compared with 4 weeks, in patients with Los Angeles grade A or B erosive esophagitis. ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT01874535.

Long-term cost-effectiveness of medical, endoscopic and surgical management of gastroesophageal reflux disease

BACKGROUND

The long-term cost effectiveness of medical, endoscopic, and operative treatments for adults with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) remains unclear. We sought to estimate the cost effectiveness of medical, endoscopic, and operative treatments for adults with GERD who require daily proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy.

METHODS

A Markov model was generated from the payer's perspective using a 6-month cycle and 30-year time horizon. The base-case patient was a 45-year-old man with symptomatic GERD taking 20 mg of omeprazole twice daily. Four treatment strategies were analyzed: PPI therapy, transoral incisionless fundoplication (EsophyX), radiofrequency energy application to the lower esophageal sphincter (Stretta) and laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. The model parameters were selected using the published literature and institutional billing data. The main outcome measure was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (cost per quality-adjusted life-year gained) for each therapy.

RESULTS

In the base case analysis, which assumed a PPI cost of $234 over 6 months ($39 per month), Stretta and laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication were the most cost-effective options over a 30-year time period ($2,470.66 and $5,579.28 per QALY gained, respectively). If the cost of PPI therapy exceeded $90.63 per month over 30 years, laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication became the dominant treatment option. EsophyX was dominated by laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication at all points in time.

CONCLUSION

Low-cost PPIs, Stretta, and laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication all represent cost-effective treatment strategies. In this model, when PPIs exceed $90 per month, medical therapy is no longer cost effective. Procedural GERD therapy should be considered for patients who require high-dose or expensive PPIs.

Acid peptic diseases: pharmacological approach to treatment

Acid peptic disorders are the result of distinctive, but overlapping pathogenic mechanisms leading to either excessive acid secretion or diminished mucosal defense. They are common entities present in daily clinical practice that, owing to their chronicity, represent a significant cost to healthcare. Key elements in the success of controlling these entities have been the development of potent and safe drugs based on physiological targets. The histamine-2 receptor antagonists revolutionized the treatment of acid peptic disorders owing to their safety and efficacy profile. The proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) represent a further therapeutic advance due to more potent inhibition of acid secretion. Ample data from clinical trials and observational experience have confirmed the utility of these agents in the treatment of acid peptic diseases, with differential efficacy and safety characteristics between and within drug classes. Paradigms in their speed and duration of action have underscored the need for new chemical entities that, from a single dose, would provide reliable duration of acid control, particularly at night. Moreover, PPIs reduce, but do not eliminate, the risk of ulcers in patients taking NSAIDs, reflecting untargeted physiopathologic pathways and a breach in the ability to sustain an intragastric pH of more than 4. This review provides an assessment of the current understanding of the physiology of acid production, a discussion of medications targeting gastric acid production and a review of efficacy in specific acid peptic diseases, as well as current challenges and future directions in the treatment of acid-mediated diseases.

The efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of hydrotalcite versus esomeprazole in on-demand therapy of NERD: A multicenter, randomized, open-label study in China

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to investigate whether hydrotalcite was comparable to esomeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, in on-demand therapy for non-erosive reflux disease (NERD).

METHODS

This was a multicenter, randomized, open-label clinical trial with initial and on-demand therapy. Patients who had complete symptom relief in the initial therapy were randomized to either hydrotalcite or esomeprazole in the on-demand therapy. The percentage of patients who quit on-demand therapy in the two groups and the cost-effectiveness of the treatment were evaluated as primary end points. The rate of symptom relief and the improvement of symptom score for initial therapy and the weekly average symptom score and weekly average number of days on treatment for on-demand therapy were evaluated as secondary end points.

RESULTS

In total, 398 patients were recruited in the initial therapy group, among whom 253 were included in on-demand therapy, with 127 patients in the hydrotalcite group and the remaining 126 in the esomeprazole group. 14 (11.0%) patients in the hydrotalcite group and six (4.8%) in the esomeprazole group quit the on-demand therapy due to unsatisfactory symptom control (P = 0.065). Cost-effectiveness calculated as the ratio of the cost of hydrotalcite to that of esomeprazole (per person/day) was 35.3% in the on-demand therapy. Similar number of patients achieved symptom relief in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Hydrotalcite is a good option of on-demand therapy for NERD patients due to its cost-effectiveness and speed of action.

Current advances in the diagnosis and treatment of nonerosive reflux disease

Nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) is a distinct pattern of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It is defined as a subcategory of GERD characterized by troublesome reflux-related symptoms in the absence of esophageal mucosal erosions/breaks at conventional endoscopy. In clinical practice, patients with reflux symptoms and negative endoscopic findings are markedly heterogeneous. The potential explanations for the symptom generation in NERD include microscopic inflammation, visceral hypersensitivity (stress and sleep), and sustained esophageal contractions. The use of 24-hour esophageal impedance and pH monitoring gives further insight into reflux characteristics and symptom association relevant to NERD. The treatment choice of NERD still relies on acid-suppression therapy. Initially, patients can be treated by a proton pump inhibitor (PPI; standard dose, once daily) for 2–4 weeks. If initial treatment fails to elicit adequate symptom control, increasing the PPI dose (standard dose PPI twice daily) is recommended. In patients with poor response to appropriate PPI treatment, 24-hour esophageal impedance and pH monitoring is indicated to differentiate acid-reflux-related NERD, weakly acid-reflux-related NERD (hypersensitive esophagus), nonacid-reflux-related NERD, and functional heartburn. The response is less effective in NERD as compared with erosive esophagitis.

[Updated guidelines 2012 for gastroesophageal reflux disease]

In 2010, a Korean guideline for the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was made by the Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, in which the definition and diagnosis of GERD were not included. The aim of this guideline was to update the clinical approach to the diagnosis and management of GERD in adult patients. This guideline was developed by the adaptation process of the ADAPTE framework. Twelve guidelines were retrieved from initial queries through the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation II process. Twenty-seven statements were made as a draft and revised by modified Delphi method. Finally, 24 consensus statements for the definition (n=4), diagnosis (n=7) and management (n=13) of GERD were developed. Multidisciplinary experts participated in the development of the guideline, and the external review of the guideline was conducted at the finalization phase.

Proton pump inhibitors: the good, the bad, and the unwanted

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are one of the most commonly prescribed classes of medications in the United States. By inhibiting gastric H/K adenosine triphosphatase via covalent binding to the cysteine residues of the proton pump, they provide the most potent acid suppression available. Long-term PPI use accounts for the majority of total PPI use. Absolute indications include peptic ulcer disease, chronic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use, treatment of Helicobacter pylori, and erosive esophagitis. Although PPIs are generally considered safe, numerous adverse effects, particularly associated with long-term use have been reported. Many patients receiving chronic PPI therapy do not have clear indications for their use, prompting consideration for reduction or discontinuation of their use. This article reviews the indications for PPI use, the adverse effects/risks involved with their use, and conditions in which their use is controversial.

Proton pump inhibitors: potential cost reductions by applying prescribing guidelines

BACKGROUND

There are concerns that proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are being over prescribed in both primary and secondary care. This study aims to establish potential cost savings in a community drug scheme for a one year period according to published clinical and cost-effective guidelines for PPI prescribing.

METHODS

Retrospective population-based cohort study in the Republic of Ireland using the Health Services Executive (HSE) Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS) pharmacy claims database. The HSE-PCRS scheme is means tested and provides free health care including medications to approximately 30% of the Irish population. Prescription items are WHO ATC coded and details of every drug dispensed and claimants' demographic data are available. Potential cost savings (net ingredient cost) were estimated according to UK NICE clinical guidelines for all HSE-PCRS claimants on PPI therapy for ≥3 consecutive months starting in 2007 with a one year follow up (n=167,747). Five scenarios were evaluated; (i) change to PPI initiation (cheapest brand); and after 3 months (ii) therapeutic switching (cheaper brand/generic equivalent); (iii) dose reduction (maintenance therapy); (iv) therapeutic switching and dose reduction and (v) therapeutic substitution (H2 antagonist).

RESULTS

Total net ingredient cost was €88,153,174 for claimants on PPI therapy during 2007. The estimated costing savings for each of the five scenarios in a one year period were: (i) €36,943,348 (42% reduction); (ii) €29,568,475 (34%); (iii) €21,289,322 (24%); (iv) €40,505,013 (46%); (v) €34,991,569 (40%).

CONCLUSION

There are opportunities for substantial cost savings in relation to PPI prescribing if implementation of clinical guidelines in terms of generic substitution and step-down therapy is implemented on a national basis.

[The Mexican consensus on gastroesophageal reflux disease. Part I]

BACKGROUND

The changes, advances, and new discoveries regarding different aspects of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have made it necessary to update the Mexican Consensus published in 2002.

AIMS

To elaborate a new Mexican Consensus on GERD.

METHODS

The general project coordinators selected six GERD experts to carry out an extensive review of the literature for the purpose of elaborating statements on the principal aspects of GERD. These were then placed under the consideration of specialists in the study of this disease. Definitive approval by all participants was reached using the modified Delphi method with three rounds of anonymous and iterative voting. The following scale was employed: A- in complete agreement; B- in agreement, but with minor concerns; C- in agreement, but with major concerns; D- in disagreement, but with major concerns; E- in disagreement, but with minor concerns; or F- in complete disagreement. Consensus was declared when 67.00% or more of the participants concurred on a category of agreement (A, B, or C).

RESULTS

A consensus was reached on 160 of the statements upon completion of the voting rounds, with 90.00% concurrence for the majority of them.

CONCLUSIONS

The 2011 Mexican Consensus on Gastroesophageal Disease is a practical and up-to-date consultation tool, providing the opinion of Mexican experts on all the new information available about this disease. It allows there to be homogeneity in diagnostic and therapeutic criteria, all of which serves to benefit our patients.

Alternative therapeutic approaches to chronic proton pump inhibitor treatment

Chronic consumption of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) by patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease is very common, primarily because of their potent and profound effect on acid secretion that results in an unsurpassed rate of symptom resolution and esophageal healing. However, there have been a growing number of reports over the past few years about various side effects caused by chronic PPI treatment. Concerns have been raised by patients and physicians alike about the common practice of prescribing PPIs, often more than once daily, on a long-term basis. As a result, there has been a resurgence of interest in alternative therapeutic modalities for chronic PPI treatment. These include novel endoscopic and surgical techniques, as well as other available therapeutic strategies that are likely to be revisited, such as histamine-2-receptor antagonists, intermittent and on-demand PPI treatment, and antireflux surgery, among others.

New pharmacologic approaches in gastroesophageal reflux disease

This article highlights current and emerging pharmacological treatments for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), opportunities for improving medical treatment, the extent to which improvements may be achieved with current therapy, and where new therapies may be required. These issues are discussed in the context of current thinking on the pathogenesis of GERD and its various manifestations and on the pharmacologic basis of current treatments.

Management of gastroesophageal reflux disease and erosive esophagitis in pediatric patients: focus on delayed-release esomeprazole

OBJECTIVE

To review the literature on the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with emphasis on proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), particularly on delayed-release esomeprazole, and to identify properties and adverse effects of PPIs observed in the treatment of GERD in children and adolescents.

SOURCES

Electronic search of PubMed/Medline and Cochrane Collaboration databases, and of abstracts on DDW, NASPGHAN, and ESPGHAN. We focused on controlled and randomized studies published since 2000 and identified reviews that presented a consensual position, and directives published within the last 10 years.

MAIN RESULTS

PPIs are considered better antisecretory agents than H(2)-receptor antagonists. Although all PPIs are similar, they are not identical in their pharmacologic properties. For example, the acid-suppressive effect of esomeprazole, the S-isomer of omeprazole, persists for more than 16 hours after administration of the morning dose. Therefore, it can control acidity after night meals better than a single dose of omeprazole. Moreover, the onset of the suppressive effect of esomeprazole is faster. It achieves acid inhibition faster than other PPIs.

CONCLUSION

Currently, the mainstream treatment for GERD in children is a PPI. Although PPIs are safe drugs, effective in healing erosive esophagitis, and in relieving symptoms, studies with esomeprazole have shown that this drug has as powerful an ability to inhibit acid secretion as omeprazole. It also seems that some pharmacologic properties of esomeprazole are actually better for the treatment of GERD.

New pharmacologic approaches in gastroesophageal reflux disease

This article highlights current and emerging pharmacological treatments for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), opportunities for improving medical treatment, the extent to which improvements may be achieved with current therapy, and where new therapies may be required. These issues are discussed in the context of current thinking on the pathogenesis of GERD and its various manifestations and on the pharmacologic basis of current treatments.

Cost minimization of on-demand maintenance therapy with proton pump inhibitors in nonerosive gastroesophageal reflux disease

On-demand proton pump inhibitor maintenance therapy is one of the suggested strategies for patients with nonerosive gastroesophageal reflux disease who achieve symptom remission after 4 weeks of continuous treatment. This review evaluates the difference in cost and quality of life of six on-demand proton pump inhibitor maintenance strategies in patients with nonerosive gastroesophageal reflux disease. This was performed by decision analysis and Markov modeling of costs (from the perspective of the healthcare service and society) and utility up to 12 months. Median utility scores associated with each proton pump inhibitor ranged from 0.731 to 0.745 quality-adjusted life years and were not statistically different. Annual expected cost, however, was statistically different among the different drugs and the following cost-minimization ranking was obtained for median costs to the healthcare service and society, respectively: rabeprazole (euro 181, euro 295), pantoprazole (euro 223, euro 341), lansoprazole (euro 249, euro 370), omeprazole 10 mg (euro 297, euro 412), esomeprazole (euro 295, euro 419) and omeprazole 20 mg (euro 405, euro 528). Unit cost of proton pump inhibitors was the major determinant of cost to the healthcare service, while the number of productivity days lost due to symptoms was the major determinant of cost to society. In Italy, on-demand use of rabeprazole for maintenance therapy of nonerosive gastroesophageal reflux disease incurs the least cost in comparison with the other proton pump inhibitors evaluated.

Efficacy of three different dosages of esomeprazole in the long-term management of reflux disease: a prospective, randomized study, using the wireless Bravo pH system

OBJECTIVES

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic condition that usually requires long-term maintenance therapy with proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs). In clinical practice, patients receive PPIs at the lowest dose to control symptoms. However, it is not known whether this approach adequately controls acidic esophageal reflux. We sought to investigate the efficacy of three different dosages of esomeprazole in patients receiving maintenance therapy for GERD, using the Bravo pH system.

METHODS

Patients with a previous history of erosive esophagitis A or B (LA classification) that was healed at the time of enrollment or endoscopy-negative reflux disease (ENRD), documented with an abnormal pH study, were randomized to receive maintenance therapy with esomeprazole 40 mg twice daily (group A), once daily (group B), or every other day (group C). Intraesophageal pH was monitored for two consecutive days using the Bravo wireless system, 30 days after randomization. The parameters subjected to analysis were percent of total time pH<4 and the De Meester score.

RESULTS

The pH results from 73 patients (group A=24, group B=24, group C=25 patients) were subjected to final analysis. On the first day of the study, the mean (+/-s.d.) percent of total time pH <4 and the De Meester score were group A: 0.9(1.2) and 4.1(4.0); group B: 1.5(1.6) and 7.0(6.9); group C: 1.3(1.0) and 6.0(3.3), respectively (P=0.262 and 0.134, respectively). On the second day of the study, the corresponding values were group A: 0.7(1.0) and 3.9(5.9); group B: 1.5(1.8) and 6.4(6.6); group C: 7.0(4.4) and 29.4(19.4), respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.0001 and <0.0001, respectively). Further analysis showed that patients not receiving PPI had a significantly higher mean percent of total time pH<4 and De Meester score as compared with patients on PPI once or twice daily (P<0.001 and <0.001 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The administration of esomeprazole 40 mg every other day does not control acidic esophageal reflux on the day off PPI. Esomeprazole 40 mg once daily effectively controls reflux of acid in patients with history of mild esophagitis or ENRD, whereas doubling the dose does not seem to confer any further advantage.

Nonerosive Reflux Disease (NERD) - An Update

Recognizing nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) as a distinct presentation of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was one of the most important developments in the field of GERD in the last decade. Whilst the definition of NERD has not changed significantly over the years, the disorder accounts for the majority of the GERD patients and those who failed proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment. Recent developments in NERD focused primarily on understanding the pathophysiology and natural history. The introduction of esophageal impedance + pH has led to the assessment of other forms of gastroesophageal reflux in causing NERD. Therapeutic modalities still focus on acid suppression, but there is growing recognition that other therapeutic strategies should be considered in NERD.

[Clinical practice patterns of gastroenterologists for initial and maintenance therapy in gastroesophageal reflux disease: a nationwide online survey in Korea]

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic condition and accompanied by frequent relapses. We aimed to evaluate the clinical practice patterns of gastroenterologists for initial and maintenance therapy of GERD in Korea.

METHODS

We administered a nationwide, multi-center, and questionnaire-based online survey between December 2007 and January 2008. The questionnaire consisted of 15 questions about prescribing patterns of initial and maintenance therapy for GERD.

RESULTS

A total of 371 gastroenterologists participated in the survey with the response rate of 77%. For mild cases of GERD, the most common choice of initial therapy was full dose proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) (59%), followed by half dose PPIs (20%), and H2 receptor antagonists (4%). For severe cases, full dose PPIs were prescribed in 99%. Almost all gastroenterologists agreed to the need for maintenance therapy. For both mild (95%) and severe (99%) cases of GERD, gastroenterologists preferred the use of PPI-based maintenance regimen. The preferred maintenance strategy for GERD was continuous therapy in erosive esophagitis (67%), and on-demand therapy in non-erosive reflux disease (68%). The overall duration of the therapy (initial+maintenance) was 7.7+/-5.1 wk in mild cases and 15.0+/-9.4 wk in severe cases. The duration of maintenance therapy was affected by symptom severity, followed by symptom frequency and endoscopic finding.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, a majority of the gastroenterologists is aware of importance on PPI-based pharmacological treatment for GERD. Further studies are needed to clarify the appropriate strategy and duration of maintenance therapy.

Management of gastroesophageal reflux disease in primary care settings in Spain: SYMPATHY I study

OBJECTIVE

Our study was designed to assess the symptom loads, treatment strategies, and impact on daily life of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms who consulted primary care (PC) health care providers in Spain.

METHODS

This was a multicenter, observational, cross-sectional study in a sample of 5735 consecutive patients visiting PC clinics with GERD symptoms. Participating primary care physicians (PCPs) collected clinical data by using a questionnaire, and completed a survey on their perceptions of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to GERD. Patients self-completed the GERD Impact Scale during the study visit.

RESULTS

In the week before visiting the PC clinic, typical GERD symptoms were present in a majority of patients (89.6% heartburn and 81.6% regurgitation), but extraesophageal symptoms were also frequent (55.6% reflux-related sleep disturbances, 45.7% noncardiac chest pain, 30.8% chronic cough, and 24.7% hoarseness), these being more prevalent in the patients diagnosed earlier. Although primary care physicians considered that 55.9% of the patients could be diagnosed on the basis of symptoms without further investigation, in their practice only one-third of new diagnoses of GERD and 71.1% of those already diagnosed were symptom-managed. Upon arrival at the clinic, patients with GERD symptoms were taking the following medications: 28.1% (47.8% in the case of those already diagnosed) proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), 16.6% antacids, 6.1% H2 antagonists, and 4.5% prokinetics. Most patients (90.2%) were treated with PPIs after the study visit. The evaluation of agreement between physicians and patients on the severity of GERD resulted in a kappa index of 0.19.

CONCLUSION

There is a high occurrence of typical and extraesophageal symptoms in patients in Spain complaining of GERD symptoms in PC settings. Two-thirds of new GERD patients were referred for further investigation. PPIs were the treatment prescribed in almost all cases. The degree of agreement between physicians and patients about the severity of the symptoms was limited.

Endoscopic versus surgical therapy for early cancer in Barrett's esophagus: a decision analysis

BACKGROUND

Esophagectomy for early esophageal adenocarcinoma is associated with increased operative mortality and morbidity, but possibly a decreased recurrence rate compared with endoscopic therapy when using EMR and radiofrequency ablation.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the cost-effectiveness of esophagectomy and endoscopic therapy in the treatment of early esophageal adenocarcinoma.

DESIGN

Decision analysis model.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio.

RESULTS

During the 5-year study period, endoscopic therapy cost $17,000.00 and yielded 4.88 quality-adjusted life years, compared with $28,000.00 and 4.59, respectively, for esophagectomy. Varying the recurrence rates of cancer or Barrett's esophagus metaplasia after endoscopic therapy did not change the overall outcome. The sensitivity analysis demonstrated, however, that the outcome depended on the rate of lymph node involvement and operative mortality. Under the best of circumstances in favor of esophagectomy, such as 2% operative mortality, no reduced quality of life after esophagectomy, and a low 5-year survival rate after recurrence of endoscopic ablation, the risk of positive lymph nodes still needed to exceed 25% before esophagectomy became the preferred treatment option. This threshold is twice as high as the values reported for early submucosal cancer invasion.

LIMITATIONS

Limited data are available about the long-term outcome of EMR and radiofrequency ablation.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic therapy for early Barrett's esophagus adenocarcinoma is more effective and less expensive than esophagectomy. Even in early esophageal adenocarcinoma with submucosal invasion, endoscopic therapy is a cost-effective alternative to esophagectomy, especially in patients with a high operative risk.

Overutilization of proton pump inhibitors: a review of cost-effectiveness and risk [corrected]

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are superior to histamine-2 receptor antagonists for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and erosive esophagitis. Antisecretory therapy (AST), however, accounts for significant cost expenditure in the United States including over-the-counter and prescription formulations. Moreover, emerging data illustrate the potential risks associated with long-term PPI therapy including variations in bioavailability of common medications, vitamin B12 deficiency, Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, community-acquired pneumonia, and hip fracture. For these reasons, it is imperative to use the lowest dose of drug necessary to achieve desired therapeutic goals. This may entail the use of step-down, step-off, or on-demand PPI therapy for the treatment of GERD. In addition, PPIs are the most commonly used medications for stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP), despite little evidence to support their use. Compounding this problem is evidence that patients erroneously administered SUP are often discharged on long-term PPI therapy. Pharmacy-driven step-down orders, limitation of the use of PPIs for SUP in non-ICU settings, and meticulous chart review to ensure that hospitalized patients are not discharged home on a PPI without an appropriate indication are interventions that can ensure proper PPI utilization with minimal of risk and optimization of cost-effectiveness.

Alternative vs. conventional treatment given on-demand for gastroesophageal reflux disease: a randomised controlled trial

Background

Alternative treatments are commonly used for various disorders and often taken on-demand. On-demand treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with pharmaceutical products is an established, cost-effective strategy. Comparisons between alternative medicine and pharmaceutical products are rare. The aim of this trial was to compare on-demand treatment with a pectin-based, raft-forming, natural, anti-reflux agent (PRA) with that of esomeprazole 20 mg (Eso20) in patients with mild/moderate GERD.

Methods

Patients with mild/moderate GERD were randomised to a six weeks' on-demand treatment with PRA or Eso20 in a pragmatic, open, multicentre trial. Overall satisfaction with treatment, satisfactory relief on a weekly basis, reflux symptoms, and treatment preferences were noted.

Results

Seventy-seven patients were included in the analyses. Eso20 was significantly superior to PRA for proportion of overall satisfied patients (92% and 58% respectively; p = 0.001), reduction of symptoms (mean symptom scores at the end 5.9 and 8.0 respectively; p = 0.019), proportion of weeks of satisfactory relief (89% and 62% respectively; p = 0.008) and proportion preferring continuation with the same treatment (85% and 42% respectively; p < 0.001). Older patients were more satisfied than younger, and patients preferring on-demand treatment had lower symptom scores at inclusion than those preferring regular treatment.

Conclusion

On-demand treatment with esomeprazole 20 mg was clearly superior to the pectin-based raft-forming agent. Most patients preferred on-demand treatment to regular treatment. Those preferring regular therapy had significantly more symptoms at inclusion.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00184522.

The effect of gastroesophageal flap valve appearance on the management of patients with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease

PURPOSE

To assess the effectiveness of anti-reflux treatment in gastroesophageal reflux disease patients classified according to esophagogastric junction morphology (Hill classification).

RESULTS

A symptom score and endoscopic grading of gastrooesophageal flap valve appearance were determined in 49 symptomatic patients (female 26, male 23; mean age 49 years, range 21-76 years). Patients received 8 weeks of continuous rabeprazole at a daily dose of 20 mg and, upon symptom control, continued with on-demand treatment for 3 months. The mean symptom score at 8 weeks was significantly reduced in all groups. However, at the end of the on-demand therapy, patients with Hill grade IV had used more rabeprazole tablets than those in the two other groups (II: 10.86 +/- 14.52, III: 14.73 +/- 14.58, IV: 25.78 +/- 15.85; P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Continuous treatment is effective in all groups of patients with reflux disease. Grading patients according to the gastroesophageal flap valve appearance is useful as a prognostic factor, especially when on-demand therapy is considered to be an option.

The Stretta procedure versus proton pump inhibitors and laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication in the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease: a cost-effectiveness analysis

BACKGROUND

The Stretta procedure is an endoscopic therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the Stretta procedure and that of competing strategies in the long-term management of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

METHODS

A Markov model was designed to estimate costs and health outcomes in Canadian patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease over five years, from a Ministry of Health perspective. Strategies included the use of daily proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) and the Stretta procedure. Probabilities and utilities were derived from the literature. Costs are expressed in 2006 Canadian dollars. Units of effectiveness were symptom-free months (SFMs) and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), using a five-year time horizon.

RESULTS

In the analysis that used SFMs, the strategy using PPIs exhibited the lowest costs ($40 per SFM) and the greatest number of SFMs, thus dominating both the LNF and Stretta systems. But the cost-effectiveness analysis using QALYs as the measure of effectiveness showed that PPIs presented the lowest cost-effectiveness ratio, while both the LNF and Stretta strategies were associated with very high incremental costs (approximately $353,000 and $393,000, respectively) to achieve an additional QALY. However, the PPI strategy did not dominate the two other strategies, which were associated with better effectiveness.

CONCLUSIONS

If SFMs are used as the measure of effectiveness, PPIs dominate the Stretta and LNF strategies. However, if QALYs are used, the PPIs still present the lowest cost and LNF gives the best effectiveness. Regardless of the units of effectiveness or utility used in the present cost analysis, an approach of prescribing PPIs appears to be the preferred strategy.

Disease-specific cost savings of treating nighttime versus daytime gastroesophageal reflux disease in an employed population

OBJECTIVE

The extent to which proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can offset direct medical costs by reducing symptoms related to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in order to improve work productivity is not well understood. This study aimed to evaluate the economic impact of treating GERD with PPIs versus no treatment, from an employer's perspective.

STUDY DESIGN

An economic model was developed to simulate symptom reduction and breakthrough symptoms as well as associated costs over 1 year among a population of 100,000 with a 20% GERD prevalence rate. Medical costs, including GERD-related office visits, hospitalisations and procedures, were delineated by symptom severity. Indirect costs represented the monetised work productivity loss. PPI treatment costs $2/day (standard dose).

RESULTS

The GERD burden was substantial ($62,500,000). Treatment yielded $32,600,000 in savings ($1,630 saved/patient/year), mostly from reducing indirect costs. Treatment produced greater savings among nighttime GERD patients throughout the PPI cost range ($1-$5/day). Savings dropped if the price of standard doses of PPI exceeded $3.92/day for the treatment of daytime GERD patients.

Pantoprazole on-demand effectively treats symptoms in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

OBJECTIVE

The efficacy of pantoprazole as on-demand therapy for the long-term management of patients with mild gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) has been demonstrated in clinical studies. In this study, the efficacy of pantoprazole 20mg and esomeprazole 20mg as on-demand therapy for relief of symptoms of mild GORD was compared.

METHODS

Patients with reflux oesophagitis grade A or B (Los Angeles classification) or endoscopy-negative reflux disease (enGORD) were treated with pantoprazole 20mg once daily for 28 days during the acute phase (AP, n = 236). Patients without heartburn during the final 3 days of the AP entered the long-term phase (LTP, n = 199) and were randomised to either pantoprazole 20mg or esomeprazole 20mg as on-demand treatment for 6 months. Antacids were provided as rescue medication during this phase. The mean intensities of the symptoms of heartburn, acid eructation and pain on swallowing, both separately and as a combined symptom score, together with the mean duration of these symptoms during on-demand treatment, were compared between the two treatment groups. The number of tablets taken was also compared.

RESULTS

After 4 weeks of treatment with pantoprazole, 87.3% of patients had relief from heartburn, 74.1% from epigastric pain and 80.8% from acid eructation, according to the investigator assessment. A total of 236 patients were eligible for the on-demand phase. Based on patient diary data, on-demand treatment with pantoprazole resulted in significantly lower mean intensity of heartburn compared with that in the esomeprazole group (1.12 for pantoprazole and 1.32 for esomeprazole, respectively [p = 0.012], in the intention-to-treat [ITT] population). The mean symptom intensities of acid eructation and pain on swallowing, together with the duration of these symptoms, were comparable in the two treatment groups. The combined symptom score of the three symptoms heartburn, acid eructation and pain on swallowing was numerically lower in the pantoprazole group compared with the esomeprazole group (1.72 vs 1.99, respectively, in the ITT population). Tablet intake was comparable in both groups. Relief of symptoms in Helicobacter pylori-positive and -negative patients was also similar in both treatment groups. Both treatments were well tolerated with a good safety profile.

CONCLUSION

On-demand therapy with either pantoprazole 20mg or esomeprazole 20mg is a comparably effective treatment strategy for the long-term treatment of non-erosive and mild GORD. However, the mean intensity of heartburn was significantly lower with pantoprazole treatment.

On-demand therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease

The following pages summarize the proceedings of a symposium held in May 2006 on the emerging role of on-demand therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Medical therapy for GERD has undergone significant change in recent years with the advent of effective, but expensive, antisecretory agents. On-demand (patient-driven) therapy is attractive to payers and patients, because it appears to be both cost-effective and convenient. Many individuals appear to accept occasional symptomatic breakthrough in exchange for personal control of their disease. On-demand therapy should be distinguished from intermittent therapy, which is either patient- or physician-driven, but which requires intermittent episodes of continuous therapy followed by discontinuation until symptoms recur. Proton pump inhibitors appear to be effective on-demand agents despite theoretical pharmacodynamic limitations for this class of drug. The available data support the use of on-demand therapy for GERD in uninvestigated reflux disease, nonerosive reflux disease, and possibly mild esophagitis as well. On-demand therapy should not be considered for patients with severe esophagitis.

Cost-of-disease analysis in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and Barrett's mucosa

BACKGROUND

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common and frequently chronic condition that causes considerable costs.

AIM

To estimate the economic burden caused by patients with erosive and non-erosive reflux disease, and Barrett's oesophagus.

METHODS

The Progression of Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease study includes a total of 6,215 patients. At baseline, patients were categorized as non-erosive reflux disease, erosive reflux disease, or Barrett's oesophagus according to endoscopic findings alone or as confirmed by histology. Direct and indirect disease-related costs were calculated based on 5,273 patients with complete information in the second year of the study.

RESULTS

A total of 73% of the Progression of Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease patients had taken GERD medication, 61% had visited a doctor, and 2% had been hospitalized because of GERD during the previous 12 months. Of all employed persons, 6% reported days off work because of GERD. This health resource utilization caused direct costs of 342+/-864 (mean+/-s.d.) and indirect costs of 40+/-473 per patient and year. Total costs for patients with Barrett's oesophagus or erosive reflux disease were higher than those for patients with non-erosive reflux disease.

CONCLUSION

Patients with GERD frequently need long-term medication and doctor care. The disorder is associated with a considerable health economic burden to society.

An update on the available treatments for non-erosive reflux disease

Non-erosive reflux disease is defined as the presence of troublesome reflux symptoms, such as heartburn and regurgitation, in the absence of endoscopically-visible damage of the oesophageal mucosa. In comparison with erosive oesophagitis, non-erosive reflux disease is the most common clinical manifestation of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Pathophysiologically, it is not a homogeneous disease as only approximately two-thirds of patients have truly acid-related symptoms. This explains the fact that patients with non-erosive reflux disease consistently show a poorer response to proton pump inhibitor treatment than patients with erosive oesophagitis. Nevertheless, profound acid inhibition by proton pump inhibitors is the recommended first-line treatment in patients suffering from this condition, both in the initial phase and for long-term care. Non-responders to proton pump inhibitor therapy should be subjected to a thorough examination and treated on an individual basis. Emerging data on the long-term course of reflux disease under routine clinical care have led to the adoption of new therapeutic strategies that would have been unthinkable only a few years ago.

Review article: gastro-oesophageal reflux disease--the health economic implications

For the vast majority of patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease appropriate care involves the management of symptoms with lifestyle advice and drugs. However, there is dissension about the appropriate use of endoscopy, whether drugs should be stepped up or down according to potency, how long drugs should be used for, the role of lifestyle advice, and, related to this, the role of patients' lifestyle choices. This exploration of the economics of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease reviews its cost burden to the UK, assesses published economic models for their strengths and weaknesses and examines current recommendations for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease management from a socioeconomic perspective. Drugs prescribed predominantly for dyspepsia cost the UK National Health Service a projected pound sterling 625 million in 2004, 7% of the primary care prescribing budget. When general practitioners consultations, endoscopies, over-the-counter sales and sickness absences are included the UK cost rises to pound sterling 1.5 billion: approximately half of this cost can be ascribed to gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Emphasis upon regular review and stepping down treatment (while maintaining adequate symptom relief) is both clinically appropriate and resource efficient. Other cost-effectiveness issues largely lack objective answers because investment in treatment for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease depends upon how much more, at the margin, society wishes to invest for further but diminishing symptom relief.

Treatment of uncomplicated reflux disease

Uncomplicated reflux disease comprises the non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) and erosive reflux disease (ERD). The objectives of treatment are the adequate control of symptoms with restoration of quality of life, healing of lesions and prevention of relapse. Treatment of NERD consists in the administration of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) for 2-4 wk, although patients with NERD show an overall poorer response to PPI treatment than patients with ERD owing to the fact that patients with NERD do not form a pathophysiologically homogenous group. For long-term management on-demand treatment with a PPI is probably the best option. In patients with ERD, therapy with a standard dose PPI for 4-8 wk is always recommended. Long-term treatment of ERD is applied either intermittently or as continuous maintenance treatment with an attempt to reduce the daily dosage of the PPI (step-down principle). In selected patients requiring long-term PPI treatment, antireflux surgery is an alternative option. In patients with troublesome reflux symptoms and without alarming features empirical PPI therapy is another option for initial management. Therapy should be withdrawn after initial success. In the case of relapse, the long-term care depends on a careful risk assessment and the response to PPI therapy.

Effects of pantoprazole 20 mg in mildgastroesophageal reflux disease: Once-daily treatment in the acute phase, and comparison of on-demand versus continuous treatment in the long term

BACKGROUND

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic disorder,and although effective short-term treatment strategies are known, the rate of relapse within 1 year is as high as 90% despite successful acute treatment. Consequently, most patients with GERD require an effective long-term management strategy to achieve adequate symptom control and maintain mucosal healing.

OBJECTIVE

The present study was undertaken to compare the control ofGERD symptoms during long-term (24-week) treatment with pantoprazole 20 mg used on-demand or continuously in patients with mild GERD after complete relief of acute GERD symptoms.

METHODS

Patients with endoscopically confirmed Savary/Miller grade 0(normal mucosa) or I (patchy red lesions without white coating or with central white coating) GERD were enrolled in this multinational, multicenter study comprising 2 phases. In the first phase, which was open label, patients were treated with pantoprazole 20 mg QD for 4 weeks. The presence and intensity of the symptoms of heartburn, acid regurgitation, and pain on swallowing were assessed. In the second phase, which was an open-label, 24-week, randomized design, only patients completely free of GERD symptoms after acute treatment were included. During this phase, on-demand treatment with pantoprazole 20 mg was directly compared with continuous treatment. The rate of failure to control GERD symptoms after 24 weeks of treatment was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Subsequently, the difference between treatments (on-demand minus continuous) and its 95% CI were calculated, and the on-demand treatment was tested for noninferiority using a predefined noninferiority margin of 20%. The mean daily symptom loads were compared between the treatment groups using the 1-sided Wilcoxon rank sum test on a 5% α level. The point estimate of the difference was determined using the Hodges-Lehman estimator and the 1-sided 95% CI according to Moses. The number of patients unwilling to continue due to insufficient control of heartburn, acid regurgitation, and pain on swallowing was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier (time-to-event) analysis. Analysis was performed in the same manner as for the rate of failure to control GERD symptoms, but the 95% CI was interpreted for statistical superiority.

RESULTS

A total of 558 patients were enrolled in this study. At the end of theacute phase, 82.1% of patients in the per-protocol (PP) population and 79.1% in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population were relieved of all GERD symptoms, and subsequently entered the long-term phase. After 24 weeks of treatment, analysis of the failure rates revealed that on-demand treatment was noninferior to continuous treatment because the 95% CI was completely below 20% (ITT, 12.1% difference [95% CI, -∞ to 18.9%]; PP, 10.1% difference [95% CI, -∞ to 17.7%]). The higher perceived mean (SD) daily symptom load in the on-demand group (ITT, 1.26 [1.491 vs 0.82 [1.341) was balanced by the reduced tablet intake in that group (PP, 0.51 [0.31 ] vs 0.97 [0.11 ] tablets/d; P < 0.001). With respect to the rate of patients unwilling to continue treatment, no statistically significant difference was observed between the on-demand and continuous groups (ITT/PP, 0.95/1.13 vs 0.95/1.26).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study of pantoprazole 20 mg tablets in patients withmild GERD, patients receiving on-demand treatment benefited despite their higher symptom load. The similar rates of unwillingness to continue treatment in both groups might suggest that patients were satisfied with the on-demand treatment strategy. On-demand treatment with pantoprazole 20 mg was found to be noninferior compared with continuous therapy with regard to symptom control. Both on-demand and continuous treatments were well tolerated.

Age, specialty, and practice setting predict gastroesophageal reflux disease prescribing behavior

BACKGROUND

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects more than 40% of adults in the United States each month. Although the economic costs of treating this disorder are enormous, the attitudes and prescribing preferences of physicians who treat patients with GERD are not well known. This study was undertaken to determine physician prescribing practices in the treatment of GERD.

METHODS

A questionnaire was mailed to 687 randomly selected, practicing gastroenterologists, internists, and family physicians in the State of Maryland. Each questionnaire was identical and contained 7 questions designed to elicit demographic data (age, sex, degree, specialty, practice setting, years in practice, community served), and 16 questions related to the evaluation and treatment of GERD.

RESULTS

A total of 214 completed questionnaires were returned (31.1%), nearly equally distributed among the three different specialty groups. A total of 82% of the respondents were male; 60% of the respondents had practiced more than 15 years, and 6% had practiced 4 years or less. Older physicians prescribed proton pump inhibitors more often than younger physicians for mild or intermittent GERD symptoms. Physicians in an academic setting were more likely to use step-down therapy in patients with well-controlled GERD symptoms than were HMO-employed physicians. Family physicians requested a barium swallow in the evaluation of uncomplicated GERD more frequently than did gastroenterologists or internists. Gastroenterologists were more likely than family physicians and internists to recommend upper endoscopy for GERD patients with warning symptoms and for patients with long-standing reflux disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Age, specialty, number of years in practice, and practice setting significantly influence how physicians evaluate and treat patients with GERD. Educational efforts to improve the evaluation and treatment of patients with GERD may require different strategies for different types of healthcare providers.

Proton pump inhibitors: update on their role in acid-related gastrointestinal diseases

Gastric acid is pathogenic in many gastrointestinal disorders, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcer disease. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the antisecretory drugs of choice for serious acid-related conditions. Ample recent data exist to explicate virtually every aspect of the clinical management of acid-peptic disorders with PPIs. Although all PPIs are effective, there are some differences in their clinical performance, particularly in terms of the degree and speed of gastric acid suppression. Rapid onset of acid suppression may be particularly relevant to newer approaches, such as 'on-demand' or intermittent therapy for non-erosive reflux disease and shorter regimens for Helicobacter pylori eradication. New data, in addition, highlight differences in PPI metabolism that may both affect efficacy and predispose patients to drug-drug interactions. PPI selection should involve the awareness of these issues.

Heartburn-dominant, uninvestigated dyspepsia: a comparison of 'PPI-start' and 'H2-RA-start' management strategies in primary care--the CADET-HR Study

BACKGROUND

There are few data on empiric, stepped therapy for heartburn relief or subsequent relapse in primary care.

AIMS

To compare heartburn relief produced by a proton pump inhibitor-start or an H(2)-receptor antagonist-start with step-up therapy, as needed, followed by a treatment-free period to assess relapse.

METHODS

Heartburn-dominant uninvestigated dyspepsia patients from 46 primary care centres were randomized to one of two active treatment strategies: omeprazole 20 mg daily (proton pump inhibitor-start) or ranitidine 150 mg bid (H2-receptor antagonist-start) for the first 4-8 weeks, stepping up to omeprazole 40 or 20 mg daily, respectively, for 4-8 weeks for persistent symptoms. Daily diaries documented heartburn relief (score < or = 3/7 on < or = of 7 prior days) and relapse (score > or = 4 on > or = 2 of 7 prior days).

RESULTS

For 'proton pump inhibitor-start' (n = 196) vs. 'H2-receptor antagonist-start' (n = 194), respectively, heartburn relief occurred in 55.1% vs. 27.3% (P < 0.001) at 4 weeks and in 88.3% vs. 87.1% at 16 weeks. After therapy, 308 patients were heartburn-free (159 vs. 149); median times to relapse were 8 vs. 9 days and cumulative relapse rates were 78.6% vs. 75.8%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

An empiric 'proton pump inhibitor-start' strategy relieves heartburn more effectively than an 'H2-receptor antagonist-start' strategy up to 12 weeks but has no effect on subsequent relapse, which is rapid in most patients.

Gambling with gastroesophageal reflux disease: should we worry about the QALY?

Gastroenterologists mainly deal with chronic organic and functional illnesses that are not life threatening but can be expensive to treat. How this compares with the management of other diseases that cause significant mortality is an important question to answer if health-care resources are to be allocated appropriately. Comparing health care in terms of cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained is one approach to this problem although there are concerns about whose values should be elicited and how QALYs are measured.

Economic analysis of on-demand maintenance therapy with proton pump inhibitors in patients with non-erosive reflux disease

AIM

To evaluate the costs and effectiveness of on-demand maintenance therapy with oral esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole or rabeprazole in patients with endoscopy-confirmed non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) in the UK.

METHODS

A probabilistic model was developed to compare the costs and effectiveness of five proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in endoscopy-negative, symptomatic NERD patients who had complete resolution of heartburn symptoms following 4 weeks of open-label acute PPI treatment. The total annual expected costs (euro, 2003 values) and utilities gained per patient were measured over a 1-year horizon from the perspective of the UK NHS. Model uncertainty was addressed by sensitivity analyses.

RESULTS

The base-case annual median costs and utilities gained with on-demand PPI therapy were: 123 euro and 0.89 for rabeprazole 10mg; 176 euro and 0.90 for pantoprazole 20mg; 190 euro and 0.89 for esomeprazole 20mg; 195 euro and 0.91 for lansoprazole 15mg; 201 euro and 0.90 for omeprazole 20mg; and 210 euro and 0.91 for omeprazole 10mg. Differences in costs, but not in outcomes, were statistically significant. The results were robust to sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

In this analysis, on-demand use of rabeprazole for the management of NERD incurred the least cost in comparison with the other PPIs evaluated. Utility gains were comparable for all on-demand PPIs. The place of on-demand PPIs in therapy, however, requires further evaluation.