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The view of gastroenterologists on non‐cardiac chest pain in Asia
Author(s) -
CHEUNG T. K.,
LIM P. W. Y.,
WONG B. C. Y.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
alimentary pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.308
H-Index - 177
eISSN - 1365-2036
pISSN - 0269-2813
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2007.03403.x
Subject(s) - medicine , chest pain , cardiology
Summary 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. Aims 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. Conclusion 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.