Heartburn Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Heartburn, including details on symptoms, causes, prevention, treatment, diet, reflux, drugs.

Routine management of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease by gastroenterologists in France: a prospective observational study.

Bretagne JF, Rey JF, Caekaert A, Barthélemy P

Service des Maladies de l'Appareil Digestif, University Hospital Pontchaillou, 2 rue Henri Le Guilloux, 35033 Rennes Cedex 9, France. jean-francois.bretagne@chu-rennes.fr

AIMS: To obtain data on routine care of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease by French gastroenterologists. PATIENTS: Five thousand and forty-five adults with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. METHODS: Patients were recruited by a representative sample of 598 French gastroenterologists. A full disease history, with treatments given/investigations undertaken, was obtained from all patients. The patients' expectations with regard to the improvement of the symptoms' control and the corresponding assessments made by the gastroenterologists were recorded on a 4-point scale. RESULTS: The mean time since diagnosis was approximately 4 years. The most commonly presented symptom was heartburn (79% of patients). A total of 3735 patients (74%) underwent endoscopy because of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Erosive oesophagitis was present in 38% and Barrett's oesophagus in 8%. Medical therapy for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease was prescribed in 92% of patients, of whom 86% received proton pump inhibitors. Lifestyle advice was given to 73% of patients. Overall, 84% of patients and 72% of physicians expected 'highly' or 'moderately' improved control of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Gastroenterologists underrated the need for improvement of the symptoms' control as expressed by 'de novo' as well as 'previously diagnosed' patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides cross-sectional data on the management of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease by gastroenterologists in France. Most patients have high expectations of an improvement in their management, but gastroenterologists generally underrate these expectations.

Published 5 July 2005 in Dig Liver Dis, 37(8): 566-70.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Heartburn Research Today. All Rights Reserved.