The impact of direct access endoscopy, Helicobacter pylori near patient testing and acid suppressants on the management of dyspepsia in general practice

Direct access endoscopy services, Helicobacter pylori infection and more effective acid suppression therapy have influenced the management of dyspepsia in the past decade, Three hundred and ten GPs in south London were surveyed via postal questionnaire to determine the impact of these factors on the management of dyspepsia in general practice. Ninety-one per cent of GPs prescribed simple antacids as initial treatment for simple dyspepsia and referred only if symptoms did not improve. When acid suppresants were used, 41% used H-2 antagonists compared with 11% for proton pump inhibitors (p=0.0001). Risk factors for underlying malignancy were the most frequent reason for hospital referral at first consultation. Long outpatient waiting times result in about 90% of GPs choosing direct access endoscopy as the route of referral for all patients with dyspepsia, while only 36% would refer patients with sinister symptoms to direct access endoscopy if waiting times were similar to that of outpatients. H. pylori near patient testing did not seem to influence the management of dyspepsia in general practice.