The view of gastroenterologists on non-cardiac chest pain in Asia.
BACKGROUND
Non-cardiac chest pain is an important disorder in Asia. The practice and views of gastroenterologists on non-cardiac chest pain in this region are not known.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the current understanding, diagnostic practice and treatment strategies among gastroenterologists on the management of non-cardiac chest pain in Asia.


METHODS
A 24-item questionnaire was sent to gastroenterologists in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.


RESULTS
186 gastroenterologists participated with a response rate of 74%. 98% of gastroenterologists managed patients with non-cardiac chest pain over the last 6 months. 64% felt that the number of non-cardiac chest pain patients was increasing and 85% believed that the most common cause of non-cardiac chest pain was GERD. 94% of the gastroenterologists believed that they should manage non-cardiac chest pain patients, but only 41% were comfortable in diagnosing non-cardiac chest pain. The average number of investigations performed was four in non-cardiac chest pain patients, and oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy was the most commonly used initial test. A proton pump inhibitor was considered the first-line treatment in non-cardiac chest pain and was reported as the most effective treatment by the gastroenterologists.


CONCLUSIONS
Most gastroenterologists were practicing evidence-based medicine, but frequent use of investigations and a lack of awareness of the role of visceral hypersensitivity in non-cardiac chest pain patients were noted.
Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.
T K
TK
Cheung
P W Y
PW
Lim
B C Y
BC
Wong
D000328:Adult; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001208:Asia; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005762:Gastroenterology; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011320:Primary Health Care; D017494:Proton Pumps / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D017494:Proton Pumps