Open AccessStructured management strategy based on the Gastro‐oesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Questionnaire (GerdQ) vs. usual primary care for GERD: pooled analysis of five cluster‐randomised European studies
Author(s) -
Ponce J.,
Garrigues V.,
Agréus L.,
Tabaglio E.,
Gschwantler M.,
Guallar E.,
Tafalla M.,
Nuevo J.,
Hatlebakk J.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
international journal of clinical practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.756
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 1742-1241
pISSN - 1368-5031
DOI - 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2012.02992.x
Subject(s) - gerd , medicine , reflux , disease , odds ratio , clinical trial , gastroenterology
Summary Background: Response to treatment among primary care patients with gastro‐oesophageal disease (GERD) is variable. Aim: The GERD Management Project (GMP) evaluated the effectiveness of a structured management approach to GERD vs. standard treatment (usual care). Methods: Data from five cluster‐randomised clinical trials in adult primary care patients with symptoms of GERD were pooled. The structured pathway was based on the self‐administered GERD Questionnaire (GerdQ) and was compared with standard treatment. Results: 1734 patients were enrolled (structured treatment, n = 834; standard treatment, n = 900). The difference in the mean GerdQ score change from baseline favoured the structured pathway (−0.61; 95% CI: −0.88, −0.34; p < 0.001). The odds ratio for an indication for treatment revision at the end of follow‐up (structured vs. standard treatment) was 0.39 (95% CI: 0.29, 0.52; p = 0.001). Conclusions: Management of primary care patients with GERD can be improved by systematic stratification of patients using a patient management tool such as the GerdQ.