Helicobacter pylori eradication in long-term proton pump inhibitor users in primary care: a randomized controlled trial

Functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract: Cost effectiveness review

BACKGROUND

The project aim was to review current cost-effectiveness research for each functional gastrointestinal disorder, as defined by the Rome III classification system.

METHODS

Biomedical databases were searched for articles with the functional gastrointestinal disorders and their pseudonyms included in the title, abstract, or medical subject headings, plus the terms benefit, cost, effectiveness, outcomes, test, utility, or utilization in any search field.

RESULTS

Highly prevalent conditions such as dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome have advanced cost-effectiveness analyses including cost-utility studies that have helped support current management guidelines. The rarer functional gastrointestinal disorders have few or no published cost-effectiveness analyses, but the Rome III classification system provides a framework for identifying the specific cost data or outcomes measures available or needed for future research.

CONCLUSIONS

The Rome process has provided a useful system for defining the functional gastrointestinal disorders and identifying specific clinical questions to be examined using cost-effectiveness analysis techniques.

Managing dyspepsia

The prevalence of dyspepsia in the general population is as high as 40%, and its management represents a considerable financial burden to the health care system. Causes of dyspepsia amenable to medical therapy include peptic ulcer and functional dyspepsia, and testing for Helicobacter pylori and treating positive individuals is beneficial in both conditions. Individuals presenting for the first time with uninvestigated dyspepsia, age greater than 50 years, or alarm features require upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy to exclude gastroesophageal malignancy. Upper GI endoscopy for younger individuals without alarm features is not cost-effective compared with the "test and treat" approach. Test and treat and empirical acid-suppression using a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) have similar costs and effects. Recent evidence suggests that empirical acid suppression commencing with antacids is as effective as PPI. Screening and treatment of H. pylori in PPI users and the community may reduce the costs of managing dyspepsia.

Proton-pump inhibitor therapy induces acid-related symptoms in healthy volunteers after withdrawal of therapy

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Rebound acid hypersecretion (RAHS) has been demonstrated after 8 weeks of treatment with a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI). If RAHS induces acid-related symptoms, this might lead to PPI dependency and thus have important implications.

METHODS

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 120 healthy volunteers was conducted. Participants were randomized to 12 weeks of placebo or 8 weeks of esomeprazole 40 mg/d followed by 4 weeks with placebo. The Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) was filled out weekly. A score of >2 on 1 of the questions regarding heartburn, acid regurgitation, or dyspepsia was defined as a clinically relevant acid-related symptom.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between groups in GSRS scores at baseline. GSRS scores for acid-related symptoms were significantly higher in the PPI group at week 10 (1.4 +/- 1.4 vs 1.2 +/- 0.9; P = .023), week 11 (1.4 +/- 1.4 vs 1.2 +/- 0.9; P = .009), and week 12 (1.3 +/- 1.2 vs 1.0 +/- 0.3; P = .001). Forty-four percent (26/59) of those randomized to PPI reported > or = 1 relevant, acid-related symptom in weeks 9-12 compared with 15% (9/59; P < .001) in the placebo group. The proportion reporting dyspepsia, heartburn, or acid regurgitation in the PPI group was 13 of 59 (22%) at week 10, 13 of 59 (22%) at week 11, and 12 of 58 (21%) at week 12. Corresponding figures in the placebo group were 7% at week 10 (P = .034), 5% at week 11 (P = .013), and 2% at week 12 (P = .001).

CONCLUSIONS

PPI therapy for 8 weeks induces acid-related symptoms in healthy volunteers after withdrawal. This study indicates unrecognized aspects of PPI withdrawal and supports the hypothesis that RAHS has clinical implications.

Symptoms in patients on long-term proton pump inhibitors: prevalence and predictors

BACKGROUND

Symptom control in primary care patients on long-term proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment is poorly understood.

AIM

To explore associations between symptom control and demographics, lifestyle, PPI use, diagnosis and Helicobacter pylori status.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey (n = 726) using note reviews, questionnaires and carbon-13 urea breath testing. Determinants of symptom control [Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire (LDQ), Carlsson and Dent Reflux Questionnaire (CDRQ), health-related quality-of-life measures (EuroQoL: EQ-5D and EQ-VAS)] were explored using stepwise linear regression.

RESULTS

Moderate or severe dyspepsia symptoms occurred in 61% of subjects (LDQ) and reflux symptoms in 59% (CDRQ). Age, gender, smoking and body mass index had little or no influence upon symptom control or PPI use. Average symptom scores and PPI use were lower in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia and gastro-protection than gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and uninvestigated dyspepsia. H. pylori infection was associated with lower reflux symptom scores only in patients with GERD and uninvestigated dyspepsia. EQ-5D was not able to discriminate between diagnostic groups, although the EQ-VAS performed well.

CONCLUSIONS

A majority of patients suffered ongoing moderate or severe symptoms. GERD and uninvestigated dyspepsia were associated with poorer long-term symptom control; H. pylori appeared to have a protective effect on reflux symptoms in these patients.

Helicobacter pylori eradication in long-term proton pump inhibitor users is highly cost-effective: economic analysis of the HELPUP trial

BACKGROUND

Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use is costly and about two-thirds of prescribing is long-term. Although 20-50% of patients may be infected with Helicobacter pylori, eradication is not normal clinical practice.

AIM

To establish if H. pylori eradication in long-term PPI users is cost-effective.

METHODS

Long-term PPI-using patients (n = 183) testing positive for H. pylori were randomly assigned to true or placebo eradication therapy. Patients provided 2-year resource data, and 1-year symptom severity scores. A within-trial cost effectiveness analysis was conducted from a British health service perspective.

RESULTS

Significant reductions in resource use occurred comparing eradication with placebo. After 2 years, PPI prescriptions (full-dose equivalents) fell by 3.9 (P < 0.0001); clinician (GP) consultations by 2.4 (P = 0.0001); upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopies by 14.8% (P = 0.008); clinician GI-related home visits by 19.9% (P = 0.005) and abdominal ultrasound scans fell by 20.3% (P = 0.005). Average net savings/patient were pound93 (95% CI: 33-153) after costs of detection and eradication had been deducted. At 1 year, Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire symptoms fell by 3.1 (P = 0.005) and quality-of-life measures improved (EuroQol-5D: 0.089, P = 0.08; visual analogue scale: 5.6, P = 0.002) favouring eradication.

CONCLUSION

Helicobacter pylori eradication in infected, long-term PPI users is an economically dominant strategy, significantly reducing overall healthcare costs and symptom severity.