NEW PATIENTS PRESENTING TO THEIR GP WITH DYSPEPSIA - DOES HELICOBACTER-PYLORI ERADICATION MINIMIZE THE COST OF MANAGING THESE PATIENTS

Fifty-seven patients newly presenting to their GP with dyspepsia agree d to take part in a pharmacist-led clinic which tested and treated for Helicobacter pylori. Of these patients, 63% (36/57) tested positive a nd received eradication therapy, For 78% (28/36), eradication was succ essful with the first course of treatment, 89% (25/28) remaining sympt om-free over the six-month follow-up, Eradication was successful for a further 17% (6/36) after a second attempt; again, these patients rema ined free of symptoms over the follow-up period. Thus, of the initial patients, 54% (31/57) were successfully treated, with no further sympt oms, Such results had significant consequences on the expected direct cost of management per patient from a GP viewpoint, Using decision ana lysis it was found that H. pylori eradication for patients presenting with dyspepsia for the first time could result in considerable cost sa vings per patient in the long term.