Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) in Australian general practice patients.
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) imposes a high level of societal and financial burden on the community. Recently, concern has been expressed regarding the number of prescriptions for proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), mostly for GORD, in Australia. This study investigated changes in the management of GORD since 2006–08. This was a secondary analysis of data from the Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health (BEACH) program. There was an increase of about 15% in the management rate of GORD between 2006–08 and 2012–14. Medication rates were high, with 95 prescriptions per 100 GORD problems managed, of which 83% were for PPIs. Most patients with GORD are on long-term PPI therapy, usually at full dosage. Trials of cessation or dosage reduction may be appropriate in many patients.
MBBS, PhD, FRACGP, Associate Professor and Medical Director, Family Medicine Research Centre, University of Sydney, Parramatta, NSW.
Graeme
G
Miller
Carmen
C
Wong
Allan
A
Pollack
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D058006:General Practice / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors