Cost-effectiveness analysis of screen-and-treat strategy in asymptomatic Chinese for preventing Helicobacter pylori-associated diseases.

BACKGROUND: The high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection in China results in a substantial public health burden. Medical experts have not agreed on the best solution of population intervention for this problem. We presented a health economic evaluation of a population-based H pylori screen-and-treat strategy for preventing gastric cancer, peptic ulcer disease (PUD), and nonulcer dyspepsia (NUD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Decision trees and Markov models were developed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of H pylori screening followed by eradication treatment in asymptomatic Chinese. The modeled screen-and-treat strategy reduced the risk of gastric cancer, PUD, and NUD. The main outcomes were the costs, effectiveness, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. Uncertainty was explored by one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: For preventing gastric cancer, PUD, and NUD together in a cohort of 10 million asymptomatic Chinese at the age of 20 years, the H pylori screen-and-treat strategy saved 288.1 million dollars, 28 989 life years, and 111 663 quality-adjusted life years, and prevented 11 611 gastric cancers, 5422 deaths from gastric cancer, and 1854 deaths from PUD during life expectancy. Uncertainty of screening age from 20 to 60 did not affect the superiority of the screen-and-treat strategy over the no-screen strategy. The one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of our study's results. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the no-screen strategy, population-based screen-and-treat strategy for H pylori infection proved cheaper and more effective for preventing gastric cancer, PUD, and NUD in Chinese asymptomatic general population.

Randomized study for assessment of hypolipidic diet in digestive symptoms immediately following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the need for prescribing low-fat diet in the prevention or reduction of dyspeptic symptoms in the postoperative period in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: We selected 40 patients, free of liver or pancreatic disease, biliary gallstones, gastritis, ulcer, diabetes and dyslipidemia, who were divided into two groups. We conducted dietary anamnesis, identification of dyspepsia before the onset of cholelithiasis and guidance on appropriate postoperatively feeding (normal or low-fat). We used the chi-square test and Pearson correlation for statistical assessment, considering p d" 0.05 as significant. RESULTS: When comparing the two groups of patients without preoperative dyspepsia, it was observed that in group I seven patients (63.6%) were asymptomatic and in group II, four (66.7%). In group I, four (36.4%) had onset of symptoms and in group II, two (33.3%), p = 0.684. When correlating the two groups with preoperative dyspeptic symptoms, it was observed that there was permanence, appearance or disappearance of symptoms postoperatively, p = 0.114. CONCLUSION: There was no significant effect of low-fat diet in the prevention of gastrointestinal symptoms, especially in preoperatively asymptomatic patients. Thus, there is no need of a low-fat diet. So, it is up to the surgeon to evaluate each patient individually and adjust the diet to his/her needs and clinical conditions.

Estudo randomizado para avaliação da dieta hipolipídica nos sintomas digestivos no pós-operatório imediato da colecistectomia por videolaparoscopia / Randomized study for assessment of hypolipidic diet in digestive symptoms immediately following laparoscopic cholecystectomy

OBJETIVO: Validar a necessidade da prescrição da dieta hipolipídica na prevenção ou redução dos sintomas dispépticos no período pós-operatório de pacientes submetidos à colecistectomia por videolaparoscopia. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionados 40 pacientes, distribuídos em dois grupos, isentos de doenças hepáticas, pancreáticas, litíase da via biliar, gastrite, úlcera, diabetes e dislipidemia. Foi realizado anamnese alimentar, identificação de dispepsias antes do aparecimento da colelitíase e orientações sobre a conduta alimentar no pós-operatório (normal ou hipolipídica). Foi utilizado o teste chi-square e a correlação de Pearson, considerando pd"0,05 como significância estatística. RESULTADOS: Comparando-se os dois grupos de pacientes sem dispepsias no pré-operatório, observou-se que no grupo I, sete pacientes (63,6%) permaneceram assintomáticos e no grupo II, quatro (66,7%). No grupo I, em quatro (36,4%) houve aparecimento de sintomas e no grupo II, em dois (33,3%), logo p=0,684. Correlacionando-se os dois grupos dispépticos no pré-operatório, observou-se que houve permanência, aparecimento ou desaparecimento dos sintomas no pós-operatório, sendo p=0,114. CONCLUSÃO: Não houve repercussão significativa da dieta hipolipídica na prevenção dos sintomas dispépticos, principalmente nos pacientes assintomáticos no pré-operatório. Sendo assim, não há necessidade em se orientar uma dieta hipolipídica. De modo que, cabe ao cirurgião avaliar cada paciente individualmente e ajustar a dieta às necessidades do paciente e às condições clínicas associadas.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the need for prescribing low-fat diet in the prevention or reduction of dyspeptic symptoms in the postoperative period in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: We selected 40 patients, free of liver or pancreatic disease, biliary gallstones, gastritis, ulcer, diabetes and dyslipidemia, who were divided into two groups. We conducted dietary anamnesis, identification of dyspepsia before the onset of cholelithiasis and guidance on appropriate postoperatively feeding (normal or low-fat). We used the chi-square test and Pearson correlation for statistical assessment, considering p d" 0.05 as significant. RESULTS: When comparing the two groups of patients without preoperative dyspepsia, it was observed that in group I seven patients (63.6%) were asymptomatic and in group II, four (66.7%). In group I, four (36.4%) had onset of symptoms and in group II, two (33.3%), p = 0.684. When correlating the two groups with preoperative dyspeptic symptoms, it was observed that there was permanence, appearance or disappearance of symptoms postoperatively, p = 0.114. CONCLUSION: There was no significant effect of low-fat diet in the prevention of gastrointestinal symptoms, especially in preoperatively asymptomatic patients. Thus, there is no need of a low-fat diet. So, it is up to the surgeon to evaluate each patient individually and adjust the diet to his/her needs and clinical conditions.

Clinical trial: prolonged beneficial effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on dyspepsia consultations - the Bristol Helicobacter Project.

BACKGROUND: Chronic infection of the stomach with Helicobacter pylori is widespread throughout the world and is the major cause of peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. Short-term benefit results from community programmes to eradicate the infection, but there is little information on cumulative long-term benefit. AIM: To determine whether a community programme of screening for and eradication of H. pylori infection produces further benefit after an initial 2-year period, as judged by a reduction in GP consultations for dyspepsia. METHODS: A total of 1517 people aged 20-59 years, who were registered with seven general practices in Frenchay Health District, Bristol, had a positive (13)C-urea breath test for H. pylori infection and were entered into a randomized double-blind trial of H. pylori eradication therapy. After 2 years, we found a 35% reduction in GP consultations for dyspepsia (previously reported). In this extension to the study, we analysed dyspepsia consultations between two and 7 years after treatment. RESULTS: Between two and 7 years after treatment, 81/764 (10.6%) of participants randomized to receive active treatment consulted for dyspepsia, compared with 106/753 (14.1%) of those who received placebo, a 25% reduction, odds ratio 0.84 (0.71, 1.00), P = 0.042. CONCLUSIONS: Eradication of H. pylori infection in the community gives cumulative long-term benefit, with a continued reduction in the development of dyspepsia severe enough to require a consultation with a general practitioner up to at least 7 years. The cost savings resulting from this aspect of a community H. pylori eradication programme, in addition to the other theoretical benefits, make such programmes worthy of serious consideration, particularly in populations with a high prevalence of H. pylori infection.

Effectiveness and costs of implementation strategies to reduce acid suppressive drug prescriptions: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of evidence for the effectiveness of implementation strategies aimed at reducing prescriptions for the use of acid suppressive drugs (ASD). METHODS: A systematic review of intervention studies with a design according to research quality criteria and outcomes related to the effect of reduction of ASD medication retrieved from Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library. Outcome measures were the strategy of intervention, quality of methodology and results of treatment to differences of ASD prescriptions and costs. RESULTS: The intervention varied from a single passive method to multiple active interactions with GPs. Reports of study quality had shortcomings on subjects of data-analysis. Not all outcomes were calculated but if so rction of prescriptions varied from 8% up to 40% and the cost effectiveness was in some cases negative and in others positive. Few studies demonstrated good effects from the interventions to reduce ASD. CONCLUSION: Poor quality of some studies is limiting the evidence for effective interventions. Also it is difficult to compare cost-effectiveness between studies. However, RCT studies demonstrate that active interventions are required to reduce ASD volume. Larger multi-intervention studies are necessary to evaluate the most successful intervention instruments.

Oral colonization of Helicobacter pylori: risk factors and response to eradication therapy.

BACKGROUND: Dental plaque is considered by some to be a secondary reservoir for Helicobacter pylori and thus responsible for gastric reinfection. The aim of this study was to investigate whether testing dental plaque using a rapid urease test (CLOtest) can be used to determine gastric H. pylori status. METHODS: We investigated dental plaque colonization by H. pylori and its correlation with gastric infection in 75 dyspeptic patients. CLOtest was used to determine H. pylori positivity. RESULTS: Tests for H. pylori were positive in dental plaque samples from 68 patients and in stomach samples from 65 patients. The sensitivity of using CLOtest in dental plaque to determine gastric H. pylori status was 89.7%, with a diagnostic accuracy of 86.7%. Gastric eradication was achieved in 83% of patients, but efforts to eradicate dental plaque colonization were unsuccessful in all patients. CONCLUSION: Using CLOtest to detect H. pylori in dental plaque is a reliable first-line diagnostic approach for gastric H. pylori infection. Dental plaque might be a sanctuary for H. pylori, leading to gastric recurrence.

Dispepsia funcional

Dispepsia ou má digestão são queixas comuns que incluem dor ou desconforto no abdome superior, relacionadas ou não com a alimentação, acompanhadas ou não de: empachamento, queimor, náuseas, gases, entre outros sintomas. Se o paciente tem mais de 45 anos ou em qualquer idade, se os sintomas forem intensos ou se não responder aos remédios ou tiver vômitos (com ou sem sangue) ou perda de peso ou história familiar de câncer ou úlcera ou dificuldade de deglutir ou anêmico, deve iniciar investigação diagnóstica com exames de sangue, de fezes e endoscopia digestiva

Is there a rationale for eradication of Helicobacter pylori? Cost-benefit: the case for.

Screening and treating the community for Helicobacter pylori would have seemed inconceivable 5 years ago. This has now become a real possibility given that H. pylori is a major risk factor for gastric carcinoma. Screening should not be introduced, however, before the costs and benefits of the programme are established. It has been estimated that 1:30-1:60 of the UK population die from an H. pylori related disease. If treating H. pylori were to reduce premature mortality, then this would be a persuasive argument for a screening strategy. The financial costs of screening and treating H. pylori are significant but this would be partially offset by savings that would accrue from reducing dyspepsia in the community. Indeed, decision analysis models suggest H. pylori screening is cost-effective. The potential benefits are enormous and prospective randomised trials are urgently required to establish whether such a programme is worthwhile.

Dyspepsia: current understanding and management.

Dyspepsia, defined as "pain or discomfort centered in the upper abdomen" is reported by one in four adults in Western societies. The most important causes are non-ulcer (functional) dyspepsia, peptic ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux, and, rarely, gastric cancer. Persons with heartburn alone are not considered to have dyspepsia. The division of dyspepsia into symptom-based subgroups (ulcer-like, dysmotility-like, reflux-like, and unspecified dyspepsia) has proven to be of doubtful value for the clinician, as it has a low predictive value for identifying the causes of dyspepsia. Upper endoscopy remains the "gold standard" test; ultrasound and blood tests have a low yield. The role of Helicobacter pylori in peptic ulcer disease is well known, but the clinical role of the infection in non-ulcer dyspepsia remains very controversial. In uninvestigated dyspeptic patients who are H. pylori infected based on a non-invasive test, empiric anti-H. pylori therapy is a reasonable and probably cost-effective option. In documented non-ulcer dyspepsia, prokinetics are superior to placebo while antisecretory therapy is of less certain efficacy.

Semiparametric regression analysis for recurrent event interval counts.

This paper deals with analysis of data from longitudinal studies where the rate of a recurrent event characterizing morbidity is the primary criterion for treatment evaluation. We consider clinical trials which require patients to visit their clinical center at successive scheduled times as part of follow-up. At each visit, the patient reports the number of events that occurred since the previous visit, or an examination reveals the number of accumulated events, such as skin cancers. The exact occurrence times of the events are unavailable and the actual patient visit times typically vary randomly about the scheduled follow-up times. Each patient's record thus consists of a sequence of clinic visit dates, event counts corresponding to the successive time intervals between clinic visits, and baseline covariates. We propose a semiparametric regression model, extending the fully parametric model of Thall (1988, Biometrics 44, 197-209), to estimate and test for covariate effects on the rate of events over time while also accounting for the possibly time-varying nature of the underlying event rate. Covariate effects enter the model parametrically, while the underlying time-varying event rate is modelled nonparametrically. The method of Severini and Wong (1992, Annals of Statistics 20, 1768-1802) is used to construct asymptotically efficient estimators of the parametric component and to specify their asymptotic distribution. A simulation study and application to a data set are provided.