Related Experiment Videos
Management in general practice of patients with persistent dyspepsia. A decision analysis
R J Laheij1, J L Severens, J B Jansen
1Department of Gastroenterology, University of Nijmegen Hospital, The Netherlands. R.Laheij@mie.kun.nl
Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology
|February 6, 1998
Summary
An empirical drug treatment strategy for persistent dyspepsia reduces endoscopy use and costs while improving symptom relief compared to conventional endoscopy-first approaches.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Persistent dyspepsia affects many patients, often leading to diagnostic procedures.
- Current management frequently involves upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, raising questions about resource utilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare an empirical drug treatment strategy with a conventional endoscopy-first approach for persistent dyspepsia.
- To evaluate the impact on endoscopy facility use, symptom relief, and medical costs.
Main Methods:
- Decision analysis utilizing literature-based data.
- Estimation of endoscopy rates, symptom relief percentages, and average medical costs per patient for both strategies.
Main Results:
- The empirical group showed a significant reduction in upper gastrointestinal endoscopies (38% fewer).
- Symptom relief was higher by an additional 5% in the empirical group.
- Average medical costs were estimated to be 8% lower in the empirical group.
Conclusions:
- An empirical drug treatment strategy is more effective and cost-efficient for persistent dyspepsia.
- This approach optimizes the use of diagnostic endoscopy facilities.