Clinical Practice Patterns of Gastroenterologists for Initial and Maintenance Therapy in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Nationwide Online Survey in Korea.
10.4166/kjg.2009.54.6.364
- Author:
Su Jin CHUNG
1
;
Sang Gyun KIM
;
Hyun Chae JUNG
;
In Sung SONG
;
Joo Sung KIM
Author Information
1. Healthcare Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital Healthcare System Gangnam Center, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article ; English Abstract
- Keywords:
Gastroesophageal reflux disease;
Maintenance therapy;
Survey
- MeSH:
Adult;
Aged;
Female;
*Gastroenterology;
Gastroesophageal Reflux/*drug therapy;
Humans;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Online Systems;
*Physician's Practice Patterns;
Proton Pump Inhibitors/therapeutic use;
Questionnaires;
Republic of Korea;
Time Factors
- From:The Korean Journal of Gastroenterology
2009;54(6):364-370
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
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.
