Physicians’ adherence to management guidelines for H. pylori infection and gastroesophageal reflux disease: a cross-sectional study
Abstract Background Primary care physicians (PCPs) play a pivotal role in the management of illnesses of the digestive tract. The study aim was to assess the adherence of PCPs to the guidelines on the management of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2020-06-01
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| Series: | Israel Journal of Health Policy Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13584-020-00389-y |
| _version_ | 1818514960020406272 |
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| author | Wasef Na’amnih Amir Ben Tov Amna Bdair-Amsha Shlomi Cohen Judith Tsamir Gabriel Chodick Khitam Muhsen |
| author_facet | Wasef Na’amnih Amir Ben Tov Amna Bdair-Amsha Shlomi Cohen Judith Tsamir Gabriel Chodick Khitam Muhsen |
| author_sort | Wasef Na’amnih |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Primary care physicians (PCPs) play a pivotal role in the management of illnesses of the digestive tract. The study aim was to assess the adherence of PCPs to the guidelines on the management of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in adults. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study during March–July 2017 using the survey platform of Maccabi Healthcare Services in Israel. The study questionnaire assessed adherence to the Maastricht/Florence guidelines on H. pylori infection and the American College of Gastroenterology guidelines on the management of GERD. We sent the study questionnaires to a random sample of 610 PCPs via electronic mails. We contacted those who did not respond by telephone; eventually 180 physicians completed the survey. Results Ninety (50%) and 60 (36%) of the responders reported using professional guidelines for the diagnosis and management of H. pylori infection and GERD, respectively. Of the 180 participants, 153 (85%) reported referring patients with suspected peptic ulcer disease to H. pylori testing, 109 (61%) reported referring patients with unexplained iron deficiency anemia and 83 (46%) refer relatives of gastric cancer patients. In caring for young patients who have dyspepsia without alarm symptoms, 127 (74%) reported referral to a urea breath test for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection, and 136 (81%) referral to a specialist in gastroenterology if alarm symptoms present. Triple therapy with proton pump inhibitors/clarithromycin/amoxicillin or metronidazole was reported as first-line therapy by 141 (83%) participants. For GERD, 94–98% of the participants followed the appropriate recommendations. Conclusions We identified gaps between the practices of PCPs and the guidelines on H. pylori infection management, while guidelines on GERD management are well adopted. Simplification of the guidelines and exploring barriers towards their implementation by PCPs is warranted. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T00:22:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c66cfdad73484644a82d775b1e3d80d4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-4015 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T00:22:47Z |
| publishDate | 2020-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Israel Journal of Health Policy Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-c66cfdad73484644a82d775b1e3d80d42022-12-22T01:27:41ZengBMCIsrael Journal of Health Policy Research2045-40152020-06-01911710.1186/s13584-020-00389-yPhysicians’ adherence to management guidelines for H. pylori infection and gastroesophageal reflux disease: a cross-sectional studyWasef Na’amnih0Amir Ben Tov1Amna Bdair-Amsha2Shlomi Cohen3Judith Tsamir4Gabriel Chodick5Khitam Muhsen6Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv UniversityMaccabi Healthcare ServicesDepartment of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv UniversityPediatric Gastroenterology Unit, “Dana-Dwek” Children’s Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical CenterMaccabi Healthcare ServicesDepartment of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv UniversityDepartment of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv UniversityAbstract Background Primary care physicians (PCPs) play a pivotal role in the management of illnesses of the digestive tract. The study aim was to assess the adherence of PCPs to the guidelines on the management of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in adults. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study during March–July 2017 using the survey platform of Maccabi Healthcare Services in Israel. The study questionnaire assessed adherence to the Maastricht/Florence guidelines on H. pylori infection and the American College of Gastroenterology guidelines on the management of GERD. We sent the study questionnaires to a random sample of 610 PCPs via electronic mails. We contacted those who did not respond by telephone; eventually 180 physicians completed the survey. Results Ninety (50%) and 60 (36%) of the responders reported using professional guidelines for the diagnosis and management of H. pylori infection and GERD, respectively. Of the 180 participants, 153 (85%) reported referring patients with suspected peptic ulcer disease to H. pylori testing, 109 (61%) reported referring patients with unexplained iron deficiency anemia and 83 (46%) refer relatives of gastric cancer patients. In caring for young patients who have dyspepsia without alarm symptoms, 127 (74%) reported referral to a urea breath test for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection, and 136 (81%) referral to a specialist in gastroenterology if alarm symptoms present. Triple therapy with proton pump inhibitors/clarithromycin/amoxicillin or metronidazole was reported as first-line therapy by 141 (83%) participants. For GERD, 94–98% of the participants followed the appropriate recommendations. Conclusions We identified gaps between the practices of PCPs and the guidelines on H. pylori infection management, while guidelines on GERD management are well adopted. Simplification of the guidelines and exploring barriers towards their implementation by PCPs is warranted.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13584-020-00389-ySurveyHelicobacter pyloriGastroesophageal reflux diseaseGuidelinesPrimary care physicians |
| spellingShingle | Wasef Na’amnih Amir Ben Tov Amna Bdair-Amsha Shlomi Cohen Judith Tsamir Gabriel Chodick Khitam Muhsen Physicians’ adherence to management guidelines for H. pylori infection and gastroesophageal reflux disease: a cross-sectional study Israel Journal of Health Policy Research Survey Helicobacter pylori Gastroesophageal reflux disease Guidelines Primary care physicians |
| title | Physicians’ adherence to management guidelines for H. pylori infection and gastroesophageal reflux disease: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Physicians’ adherence to management guidelines for H. pylori infection and gastroesophageal reflux disease: a cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Physicians’ adherence to management guidelines for H. pylori infection and gastroesophageal reflux disease: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Physicians’ adherence to management guidelines for H. pylori infection and gastroesophageal reflux disease: a cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Physicians’ adherence to management guidelines for H. pylori infection and gastroesophageal reflux disease: a cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | physicians adherence to management guidelines for h pylori infection and gastroesophageal reflux disease a cross sectional study |
| topic | Survey Helicobacter pylori Gastroesophageal reflux disease Guidelines Primary care physicians |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13584-020-00389-y |
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