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Survey of Primary Care Physicians' Approach to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Elderly Patients

^a Departments of Medicine (Divisions of Gastroenterology and General Internal Medicine), University of Alabama at Birmingham
^b Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham

C. Mel Wilcox, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294-0007 E-mail: mel_wilcox{at}gihep.uab.edu.

Decision Editor: John E. Morley, MB, BCh

Background. Although gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition, little is known regarding physicians' approach to the diagnosis and management of GERD in elderly patients.

Methods. We surveyed by facsimile a random sample of 14,000 practicing primary care physicians throughout the United States. Physicians were questioned using a case-based format about the approach to a symptomatic patient with GERD including the use of empiric therapy, the role of diagnostic testing, and the drugs of choice to treat GERD.

Results. A total of 2241 surveys (16%) was returned and tabulated. Most respondents were either internists (37%) or family practice physicians (56%) in solo or group practice, and 74% had been in practice for 11 or more years. There were 1980 (90%) respondents who evaluated more than 6 patients per week with GERD. Empiric therapy was commonly recommended for the symptomatic patient, most often in a step-up approach beginning with H₂-receptor blockers. Diagnostic testing, usually endoscopy, was recommended appropriately in patients with alarm symptoms. Proton-pump inhibitors were most often recommended for patients failing to respond to over-the-counter H₂-receptor blockers and for those with endoscopic esophagitis; the use of cisapride in combination with H₂-receptor blockers was also commonly recommended in these scenarios.

Conclusions. The management of symptomatic GERD in elderly patients appears similar to the management of GERD in other patients. Empiric therapy was frequently recommended in a step-up approach, and diagnostic testing was appropriate. Combination therapy with cisapride and an acid-reducing agent was commonly recommended.

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				J. E. Morley Editorial: Drugs, Aging, and the Future J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., January 1, 2002; 57(1): M2 - 6. [Full Text] [PDF]