Impact of functional dyspepsia on quality of life and health care consumption after cessation of antisecretory treatment. A multicentre 3-month follow-up study.
BACKGROUND
The impact of response to treatment on subsequent symptoms, quality of life, health care consumption, and absence from work in functional dyspepsia is unknown.


METHODS
Patients with functional dyspepsia from Denmark, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Hungary, and Poland (n = 567 (215 men), 18-80 years old) were followed up for 3 months after a 4-week treatment trial with omeprazole (20 mg or 10 mg) or placebo. The patients were blinded to the initial treatment. Dyspeptic symptoms and quality of life were assessed, and dyspepsia-related costs were calculated in terms of number of clinic visits, days on medication, and absence from work.


RESULTS
Responders had fewer clinic visits than non-responders (1.5 versus 2.0 mean visits) and fewer days on medication (mean, 9 days versus 23 days) over the 3-month period (both, P < 0.001). The quality of life in responders was better at study entry and persisted over 3 months (all, P < 0.001). When analysed country by country, health care costs due to clinic visits and medications were significantly lower in responders in all countries (P < 0.05), except Denmark and The Netherlands.


CONCLUSIONS
Symptom resolution in patients with functional dyspepsia has a positive impact on quality of life and reduces the subsequent costs over a 3-month period after cessation of initial treatment.
Meineche-Schmidt
V
V
General Practice, Kokkedal, Denmark.
Talley
N J
NJ
Pap
A
A
Kordecki
H
H
Schmid
V
V
Ohlsson
L
L
Wahlqvist
P
P
Wiklund
I
I
Bolling-Sternevald
E
E
D000041:Absenteeism; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics; D000818:Animals; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics*; D005060:Europe; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D009853:Omeprazole