Patients' views on dyspepsia and acid suppressant drug therapy in general practice.
OBJECTIVE
To do an inventory on the opinion of long-term acid suppressant drug (ASD) users on their condition and drug treatment, and from that angle to reflect on possibilities to reduce usage and costs of long-term acid suppressant drug therapy.


METHODS
In the year 2001, in seven general practices, patients who chronically used ASDs without proper indication were identified. A postal questionnaire based on the literature was sent to these patients (n=498).


RESULTS
318 (64%) returned questionnaires were fit for analysis. Patients experienced dyspepsia as unpleasant and restraining, and were extremely positive about ASDs without differences between H2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). ASD use was very compliant. Patients smoked and drank less than the normal population. They did not continue unhealthy habits simply because ASDs enable them to. Most patients were not motivated to stop their ASDs.


CONCLUSIONS
Dyspeptic complaints should not be underestimated. Improving lifestyle is not likely to generate much effect on ASD use. Due to a lack of motivation, discontinuing long-term ASD use may not be an efficient way to reduce the use and costs of ASDs. Patient-centred possibilities are prescribing H2RAs instead of PPIs as a first step, as they are perceived by patients to be equally effective, and encouraging patients to self-regulate drug treatment through on-demand regimes.
Spijker-Huiges
Antje
A
Department of General Practice, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands. a.spijker-huiges@med.rug.nl
Winters
Jan C
JC
Meyboom-De Jong
Betty
B
D000368:Aged; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents