Via practica 6/2022

New options of gastroesophageal reflux disease patient management in general practitioner`s office

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a relatively common disease of the gastrointestinal tract whose typical symptoms include heartburn and regurgitation, while atypical symptoms include chronic cough, asthma, hoarseness, dyspepsia and nausea. The diagnosis is often assumed due to the presence of typical and atypical symptoms and is often an indication for empiric therapy. Treatment management includes lifestyle modification and/or drug therapy, the most effective form of which is proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. However, complete resolution of symptoms is not always achieved and long-term PPI treatment may expose patients to the risk of side effects and associated unnecessary costs. The brain-gut connection plays an important role in symptom resolution and treatment success, especially in patients who do not respond to PPIs. Helping doctors and patients to understand the brain-gut connection may therefore improve the care of patients with GERD. Patient dissatisfaction with treatment reveals the need for a new, more patient centered approach to GERD treatment, as well as the need for better communication between patients and providers, which will ultimately positively impact patient´s health related quality of life.

Keywords: gastroesophageal reflux disease, proton pump inhibitors, patient physician communication, hypervigilance, patient satisfaction