AGA releases evidence-based GERD ...(expert opinion according to Peter J. Ka...),Health

Date:10/21/2008

expert opinion," according to Peter J. Kahrilas, MD, AGAF, Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine and lead author of the guidelines. "We hope the development of these guidelines will help clinicians better treat patients who present with suspected GERD."

The conclusions of the technical review and medical position statement were based on the best available evidence, or in the absence of quality evidence, the expert opinions of the authors and Medical Position Panel convened to critique the technical review and structure the medical position statement. The technical review and the medical position statement together represent the guideline. The strength of the conclusions were determined using the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force grades. Grade A recommendations, which are "strongly recommended based on good evidence that it improves important health outcomes," according to the AGA Institute, include:

I. Antisecretory drugs for the treatment of patients with esophageal GERD syndromes (healing esophagitis, symptomatic relief and maintaining healing of esophagitis). In these uses, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are more effective than histamine receptor antagonists (H₂RAs), which are more effective than placebo.
II. Long-term use of PPIs for the treatment of patients with esophagitis once they have proven clinically effective. Long-term therapy should be titrated down to the lowest effective dose based on symptom control.
III. When antireflux surgery and PPI therapy are judged to offer similar effectiveness in a patient with an esophageal GERD syndrome, PPI therapy should be recommended as initial therapy because of superior safety.
IV. When a patient with an esophageal GERD syndrome is responsive to, but intolerant of, acid suppressive therapy, antireflux surgery should be recommended as an alternative.
V. Twice-daily PPI therapy as an empirical trial for patients with suspected reflux chest pain synd
'/>"/>

Contact: Aimee Frank media@gastro.org 301-941-2620 American Gastroenterological Association Source:Eurekalert

1 GOOD

Page: 1 2 3
Related medicine news :

1. Save Lives with Your Mobile Phone - Doctor Releases First Aid Application for iPhone
2. National Psoriasis Foundation Releases 2008 Study Results
3. Barnett Releases Reference Guide on Form FDA 1572--Statement of Investigator
4. Downtown Emergency Service Center Releases CHASERS, Free Software for Homeless Service Management and Beyond
5. USP releases first certified reference material
6. change:healthcare CEO Releases 'My Healthcare is Killing Me'
7. AHRQ Releases Two New Resources to Help Consumers and Clinicians Prevent Dangerous Blood Clots
8. Sodexo Releases Innovative Prepaid Incentive Card Powered by eCommLink
9. Z Trim Holdings, Inc. Releases Letter to Shareholders
10. Mindray Releases Historical Financial Results Converted into US Dollar Terms
11. Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation Releases Data Supporting Mandatory Use of Motorcycle Helmets