[Pharmacoeconomic analysis of treatment of certain diseases of the digestive system].

The article provides data of the pharmacoeconomic analysis (cost/effectiveness) of treatment of peptic ulcer, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, biliary sludge and cholelithiasis. It was shown that the most appropriate treatment scheme is one that characterized by lower costs per unit of effectiveness. Analysis of cost/effectiveness can give an economic assessment of clinical efficacy, compare alternative treatments and help to choose the method by which the efficiency increases faster than the level of costs.

[Restoration of the quality of life by eliminating and prevention of heartburn by alginate: results of multicenter study "VIA APIA"].

Was conducted a muIticenter study VIA APIA, in which the impact of gaviscon forte (suspension) on symptoms, general state and quality of life of 148 patients (male 53, female 95, age 42.9 +/- 15.6) with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were investigated. The patients had undergone clinical evaluation of dynamics of GERD symptoms (Likert scale), general state (Visual Analogue Scale, questionnaire SAN) and quality of life (SF-36). It was shown that 14-days treatment with gaviscon forte provided symptoms relief in 84.5% patients and conducted improvement of general state and quality of life. Gaviscon forte recommended as drug of choice in initial treatment for the first time visited patient with heartburn before endoscopy and for pathogenetic treatment of typical reflux syndrome.

[Pharmacokinetics of the proton pump inhibitors and psychological status in patients as factors that influence the efficiency of treatment of GERD with pantoprazole].

Was made an investigation of the effectiveness of pantoprazole (sanpraz, "SanFarma", India) at gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). 53 patients with GERD, including 20--with reflux esophagitis, received a daily dose of pantoprazole 40 mg to 28 days. To the 7 day of treatment heartburn was broke in 63.3%, regurgitation--in 65% of patients initially experiencing these symptoms. The 14-th day of treatment heartburn was broke in 83.7%, regurgitation--in 90%. Endoscopic remission in 28-th day of treatment was obtained in 85% of patients with reflux esophagitis. Broking of symptoms was accompanied by significant improvement in well-being and quality of life of patients. Treatment of a standard dose of pantoprazole was ineffective in 16.3% of patients. The reasons for the conservation of heartburn in 4.1% of the cases was an individual characteristics of the pharmacokinetics drug, in 12.2%--non-reflux mechanisms of symptoms in the face of mental status.

[Diagnostic value of alginate test in gastroesophageal reflux disease].

AIM OF STUDY: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of single dose of gaviscon (the alginates test) in detecting gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in patients with heartburn symptoms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 123 patients (male 46, female 77, age 43.6 +/- 15.5 years) with symptoms suggestive of GERD were investigated. Symptom response to the alginates test compared in GERD positive and GERD negative patients according traditional diagnostic criteria of GERD (upper endoscopy, 24-hr pH-monitoring, esophageal manometry, response to treatment with PPIs). RESULTS: Of 91 (78.9%) patients with positive alginates test, 87 were classified as GERD positive and 4 as GERD negative. Of 32 (26%) patients with negative alginates test, 29 were GERD negative and 3 GERD positive. The results providing a sensitivity of alginates test of 96.7% and a specificity of 87.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The alginates test is sensitive and specific for diagnosing GERD in patients with typical GERD symptoms.

[Cardial achalasia in a 77-year-old man].

In the article the case of achalasia of cardia and diagnostic algorithm of this pathology are presented.

[Evaluation of action, efficacy, and onset dynamics of a single dose of alginates in patients with heartburn and GERD].

We conducted a crossover study, in which the efficacy and the onset of action of a single dose of Gaviscon (suspension) and Gaviscon forte (suspension) in 52 patients with heartburn of moderate intensity and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been investigated. The average age of the patients was 44.0 +/- 17.3-years-old. The patients have undergone clinical evaluation of intensity of GERD symptoms and psychological assessment (questionnaires SF-36, SMOL, LOBI). Alginates' effects and qualities were evaluated using stopwatch technique, clinical examination, and organoleptic assessment. Primary sensation of a cooling (soothing) effect after use of a single dose of Gaviscon has been reported in 65.7 seconds (on average), and Gaviscon forte--in 66.1 seconds. Fourty three (82.7%) patients with heartburn have described the effects of both medications as "instant" cooling effects. Heartburn was relieved in 3.3 minutes in all patients after a single dose of Gaviscon, and in 3.6 minutes in 51 (98.1%) patients who have received a single dose of Gaviscon forte. Organoleptic qualities averaged at 3.6 points (on a scale of 1-5) for Gaviscon, and at 3.5 points for Gaviscon forte. Assessment of mental status of the patients suggested that a "delayed" effect of the medications in relieving heartburn in some patients may have occurred due to possible physical disadaptation.