TY - JOUR
T1 - Diagnostic investigation rates and use of prescription and non-prescription medications amongst dyspeptics
T2 - A population-based study of 2300 Australians
AU - Westbrook, J. I.
AU - Talley, N. J.
PY - 2003/5/1
Y1 - 2003/5/1
N2 - Background: There is limited knowledge of the diagnostic investigation rates and use of prescription and nonprescription drugs amongst dyspeptics. Aim: To assess the investigation rates and use of prescription and non-prescription anti-ulcer medications amongst dyspeptics in the population. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was performed of 2300 Australians. Results: Of 748 dyspeptics, 422 (56%) had consulted a doctor regarding dyspepsia at some time in their life. Of the consulters, 64% had undergone investigations at some time: 37% an endoscopy, 54% a barium meal and 27% both. A diagnosis of peptic ulcer was reported by 31% of those investigated. The symptom profile of gastroscopy patients differed significantly from that of uninvestigated dyspeptics. Of the consulters, 36% had taken anti-ulcer prescription drugs in the last 3 months: Histamine-2 receptor antagonists (73% of prescriptions), proton pump inhibitors (17%), cytoprotectants (5%) and prokinetic drugs (5%). Antacids were taken by 30% of non-consulting dyspeptics, 44% of consulters not on prescription drugs and 58% of dyspeptics taking prescription drugs. Advancing age, but not gender, was associated with diagnostic investigation and prescription and non-prescription drug usage. Conclusions: There are high rates of diagnostic investigation amongst dyspeptics who consult doctors. Many individuals with dyspepsia decide to self-medicate with antacids regardless of consulting or prescriptions, suggesting that current management is suboptimal.
AB - Background: There is limited knowledge of the diagnostic investigation rates and use of prescription and nonprescription drugs amongst dyspeptics. Aim: To assess the investigation rates and use of prescription and non-prescription anti-ulcer medications amongst dyspeptics in the population. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was performed of 2300 Australians. Results: Of 748 dyspeptics, 422 (56%) had consulted a doctor regarding dyspepsia at some time in their life. Of the consulters, 64% had undergone investigations at some time: 37% an endoscopy, 54% a barium meal and 27% both. A diagnosis of peptic ulcer was reported by 31% of those investigated. The symptom profile of gastroscopy patients differed significantly from that of uninvestigated dyspeptics. Of the consulters, 36% had taken anti-ulcer prescription drugs in the last 3 months: Histamine-2 receptor antagonists (73% of prescriptions), proton pump inhibitors (17%), cytoprotectants (5%) and prokinetic drugs (5%). Antacids were taken by 30% of non-consulting dyspeptics, 44% of consulters not on prescription drugs and 58% of dyspeptics taking prescription drugs. Advancing age, but not gender, was associated with diagnostic investigation and prescription and non-prescription drug usage. Conclusions: There are high rates of diagnostic investigation amongst dyspeptics who consult doctors. Many individuals with dyspepsia decide to self-medicate with antacids regardless of consulting or prescriptions, suggesting that current management is suboptimal.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0038528393&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1046/j.1365-2036.2003.01555.x
DO - 10.1046/j.1365-2036.2003.01555.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 12752354
AN - SCOPUS:0038528393
SN - 0269-2813
VL - 17
SP - 1171
EP - 1178
JO - Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics
JF - Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics
IS - 9
ER -