Journal List > Korean J Gastroenterol > v.54(6) > 1006602

Chung, Kim, Jung, Song, and Kim: Clinical Practice Patterns of Gastroenterologists for Initial and Maintenance Therapy in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Nationwide Online Survey in Korea

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, multicenter, 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.

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Fig. 1.
Medication of choice for maintenance therapy in mild and severe gastroesophageal reflux disease. GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease; PPI, proton pump inhibitor; H2RA, H2 receptor antagonist.
kjg-54-364f1.tif
Fig. 2.
Maintenance strategy of choice for mild and severe gastroesophageal reflux disease. EE, erosive esophagitis; NERD, non-erosive reflux disease.
kjg-54-364f2.tif
Fig. 3.
Total duration of treatment for mild and severe gastroesophageal reflux disease. GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease.
kjg-54-364f3.tif
Table 1.
Demographic Information of 371 Respondent Gastroenterologists
No. %
Mean age, year (range) 42.4±4.8 (32-68)
Sex (male:female) 6:1 1
Location of the hospitals
Seoul 82 22
Metropolitan city 79 21
Gyeonggi province 57 15
Chungcheong province 52 14
Gyeongsang province 75 20
Jeolla province 24 7
Jeju province 2 1
Length of practice (year)
1-4 95 26
5-9 164 44
10-14 67 18
≥15 45 12
Affiliation
University or general hospital 232 63
Smaller hospital 139 38

Incheon, Busan, Daejeon, Daegu, Ulsan, and Gwa ngju.

Table 2.
Proportions of Several Factors Influencing the Duration of Treatment in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
1st 2nd 3rd 1st-3rd
(%) (%) (%) (%)
Symptom severity 72.9 17.6 6.2 32.3
Symptom frequency 5.9 40.0 17.9 21.3
Presence or absence of lesion 5.0 7.9 12.9 8.6
Severity of lesion 11.8 25.3 26.5 21.2
Patient's economy 0 1.8 9.1 3.6
Patient's residence 0 0.3 2.4 0.9
Insurance policy of the government 0 4.4 17.1 7.2
Insurance policy of the hospital 2.9 1.8 2.9 2.5
Prescription pattern of doctor 0.6 0.6 3.8 1.7
Clinical condition of doctor 0.9 0.3 1.2 0.8
Total 100 100 100 100

10 items in the Table are relevant to 11th question in the appendix.

The mean value of percentages corresponding to the 1st-3rd factors in each item.

5. 초 치료에 주로 사용하는 방법은 무엇입니까?
경증 위식도 역류질환 중증 위식도 역류질환
1) Full-dose PPI
2) Half-dose PPI
3) H2RA
4) Prokinetics
5) Antacid
6) Life modification
7) Combination
6. 초 치료 기간은 어느 정도인지 환자의 비율을 적어 주 십시오.
경증 위식도 역류질환 중 증 위식도 역류질환
1) 4주 이내 % %
2) 4-8주 % %
3) 8주 이상 % %
7. 위식도 역류질환의 유지치료에 주로 사용하는 투여법은 무엇입니까?
경증 위식도 역류질환 중증 위식도 역류질환
1) Continuous therapy
2) On-demand therapy
3) Intermittent therapy
4) 기타
8. 위식도 역류질환의 유지치료에 주로 사용하는 약제는 무엇입니까?
경증 위식도 역류질환 중증 위식도 역류질환
1) Full-dose PPI
2) Half-dose PPI
3) H2RA
4) Prokinetics
5) Antacid
6) Life modification
7) Combination
10. 총 치료기간(초 치료+유지치료)은 어느 정도인지 환자 의 비율을 적어 주십시오.
경증 위식도 중증 위식도
역류질환 역류질환
1) 1개월 미만 % %
2) 1개월 이상-4개월 미만 % %
3) 4개월 이상-7개월 미만 % %
4) 7개월 이상-1년 미만 % %
5) 1년 이상 % %
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