title: Empirical H2-blocker therapy or prompt endoscopy in management of dyspepsia.
abstract: The recommended strategy for management of dyspepsia is empirical treatment with an H2-blocking drug, followed by endoscopy if the symptoms do not respond or recur. We compared two strategies for the management of dyspepsia--treatment based on the results of prompt endoscopy (group 1) and empirical H2-blocker treatment with diagnostic endoscopy only in cases of therapeutic failure or symptomatic relapse within 1 year (group 2). Eligible patients had symptoms severe enough to justify empirical H2-blocker therapy. Symptoms, drug consumption, and sick-leave days were assessed through monthly diaries. Patients with non-organic dyspepsia diagnosed by endoscopy did not receive ulcer drugs. Of 414 patients randomised, 373 completed 1-year follow-up. Organic disease was found at endoscopy in 68 (33%) of 208 group-1 patients (ulcer in 45). Endoscopy was done in 136 (66%) of 206 group-2 patients. Case selection for endoscopy was not improved by the empirical treatment strategy, since the diagnostic profile was the same as in group 1 and 40% of the expected ulcer cases remained undiagnosed. After 1 year there were no differences in symptoms or quality of life measures. The empirical treatment strategy in dyspepsia was associated with higher costs, due mainly to a higher number of sick-leave days and cost of ulcer drug use. Prompt endoscopy is a cost-effective strategy in dyspeptic patients with symptoms severe enough to justify the current practice of empirical H2-blocker treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Gastroenterology S, Odense University Hospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bytzer
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: O B
authors.initials: OB
authors.lastname: Schaffalitzky de Muckadell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D011899:Ranitidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D011899:Ranitidine