A treatment algorithm for the management of upper gastrointestinal (UG
I) disease in general practice has been developed by an international
group of general practitioners [the International Gastro Primary Care
Group (IGPCG)]. When the algorithm was evaluated to consider the overa
ll cost per patient, it was shown to offer savings over current practi
ce in the UK. Adjustments to the algorithm have been proposed, usually
on the basis of variations in the place and timing of Helicobacter py
lori testing and eradication, with or without endoscopy. This paper ev
aluates the current cost of UGI disease in the UK, the base IGPCG algo
rithm and the 5 major alternative scenarios. The original IGPCG algori
thm was the least costly option of all those considered, with addition
al H. pylori testing for all patients with suspected ulcer being the s
econd least expensive option. Routine endoscopies for all patients or
for all patients aged more than 45 years were the most expensive scena
rios and would require a 16- or 13-fold increase, respectively, in the
provision of endoscopy services in the UK. The use of routine endosco
py for all patients aged more than 45 years who were presenting with U
GI symptoms for the first time was a mid-priced option, but would stil
l require a 5-fold increase in the provision of endoscopy services. Th
e modelling process highlights the fact that early stratification of p
atients into diagnostic and treatment groups, on the basis of history
and symptom cluster, is a less costly approach than that of early rout
ine endoscopy or H. pylori testing. If H. pylori testing is to be used
routinely, then the least costly way is to apply the method to those
patients who have symptoms that are more indicative of ulcer disease.
All the scenarios considered resulted in lower drug costs than current
average UK drug costs per patient per year, and in fewer prescription
s and general practitioner surgery visits per patient. There are sever
al ways in which the management of UGI disease in the UK could be impr
oved with regard to costs and resource utilisation, some of which are
presented here. This process emphasises the value of modelling techniq
ues to investigate the consequences of different patient management sc
enarios.