Patients' views on dyspepsia and acid suppressant drug therapy in general practice

To do an inventory on the opinion of long-term acid suppressant drug (ASD) users on their condition and drug treatment, and from that angle to reflect on possibilities to reduce usage and costs of long-term acid suppressant drug therapy.

In the year 2001, in seven general practices, patients who chronically used ASDs without proper indication were identified. A postal questionnaire based on the literature was sent to these patients (n=498).

318 (64%) returned questionnaires were fit for analysis. Patients experienced dyspepsia as unpleasant and restraining, and were extremely positive about ASDs without differences between H2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). ASD use was very compliant. Patients smoked and drank less than the normal population. They did not continue unhealthy habits simply because ASDs enable them to. Most patients were not motivated to stop their ASDs.

Dyspeptic complaints should not be underestimated. Improving lifestyle is not likely to generate much effect on ASD use. Due to a lack of motivation, discontinuing long-term ASD use may not be an efficient way to reduce the use and costs of ASDs. Patient-centred possibilities are prescribing H2RAs instead of PPIs as a first step, as they are perceived by patients to be equally effective, and encouraging patients to self-regulate drug treatment through on-demand regimes.