title: Gastroesophageal reflux disease.
abstract: The data indicate that gastroenterologists have higher (P < .05) utilization, covered charges, and prescription drug utilization per PTE than FPs/GPs with regard to patients with lowest-severity GERD. The data show that patients treated by an FP/GP have significantly lower PTE duration when compared with patients treated by gastroenterologists. Average overall charges for FPs/GPs are also significantly lower than average overall charges for gastroenterologists. Additionally, average prescription drug charges per PTE are lower for FPs/GPs than for gastroenterologists. An important consideration is the variation of practice patterns in the treatment of GERD. This analysis is not based on a controlled study; therefore, adjustments for patients demographic and geographic factors are necessary in order to provide further reliable analysis. Additional research in this area is worthwhile and may include a controlled comparison of practice patterns among PCPs and specialists in relation to the quality of care and cost effectiveness of treatments prescribed for GERD.
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Rochman
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Prescott
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Cave
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003625:Data Collection; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000191:economics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors