Barriers to the implementation of practice guidelines in managing patients with nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding: A qualitative approach

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE:

Guidelines for the management of patients with nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) are inconsistently applied by health care providers, potentially resulting in suboptimal care and patient outcomes. A needs assessment was performed to assess health care providers’ barriers to the implementation of these guidelines in Canada.

METHODS:

Semistructured telephone interviews were conducted by trained research personnel with 22 selectively sampled health care professionals actively treating and managing NVUGIB patients, including emergency room physicians (ER), intensivists (ICU), gastroenterologists (GI), gastroenterology nurses and hospital administrators. Participants were chosen from a representative sample of six Canadian community- and academic-based hospitals that participated in a national Canadian audit on the management of NVUGIB.

RESULTS:

Participants reported substantive gaps in the implementation of NVUGIB guidelines that included the following: lack of knowledge of the specifics of the NVUGIB guidelines (ER, ICU, nurses); limited belief in the value of guidelines, especially in areas where evidence is lacking (ER, ICU); limited belief in the value of available tools to support implementation of guidelines (GI); lack of knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of health care professions and disciplines, and lack of effective collaboration skills (ER, ICU and GI); variability of knowledge and skills of health care professionals within professions (eg, variability of nurses’ knowledge and skills in endoscopic procedures); and perceived overuse of intravenous proton pump inhibitor treatment, with limited concern regarding cost or side effect implications (all participants).

CONCLUSIONS:

In the present study population, ER, ICU and nurses did not adhere to NVUGIB guidelines because they were neither aware of nor familiar with them, whereas the GI lack of adherence to NVUGIB guidelines was influenced more by attitudinal and contextual barriers. These findings can guide the design of multifaceted educational and behavioural interventions when attempting to effectively disseminate existing guidelines, and for guideline implementation into practice.     

Use of acid suppressive therapy in hospitalized non-critically ill patients

AIM: To assess the appropriateness of prescribing acid suppressive therapy (AST) in a general medicine service in a tertiary care hospital.METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, we reviewed the inpatient records of all patients admitted to the general medical service in a tertiary care hospital in Beirut, Lebanon, from April 1 to May 31, 2011. Treatment with AST was considered appropriate if the patient had a specific indication or appropriate treatment purpose [e.g., gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease, dyspepsia, acute or suspected gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding]. Appropriate administration of stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) was derived from an internal guideline that is based on the American Society of Health System Pharmacists guidelines. Prophylaxis was considered appropriate if a patient had 1 absolute indication (coagulopathy or requiring mechanical ventilation), or 2 or more relative indications (sepsis, occult bleeding, use of high dose corticosteroids, recent use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for more than 3 mo, renal or liver failure, enteral feeding and anticoagulant use).RESULTS: Of the 153 patient admissions during the study period, 130 patients (85%) were started on AST, out of which 11 (8.5%) had a diagnosis that supports the use of this therapy (GI bleed, gastritis and GERD), 16 (12.3%) had an absolute indication for SUP, 59 (45.4%) had 2 or more relative indications for SUP, and 44 (33.8%) received AST without an appropriate indication. In addition, one patient with an absolute indication for SUP and four with two or more relative indications did not receive AST. Rabeprazole was the most frequently used AST (59.2%), followed by omeprazole (24.6%), esomeprazole (11.6%) and ranitidine (4.6%). The dose of AST was appropriate in 126 patients (96.9%) and the route of administration was appropriate in 123 patients (94.6%). Fifteen of the admitted patients (10%) were discharged on AST, 7 of which (47%) did not have an appropriate indication.CONCLUSION: AST is overused in hospitalized non-critically ill patients and many patients are discharged on unnecessary AST which can increase cost, drug interactions and adverse events. Potential interventions include implementation of institutional protocols and prescriber education.     

Comparison of four proton pump inhibitors for the short-term treatment of esophagitis in elderly patients

AIM: To compare efficacy and tolerability of four proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) commonly used in the short-term therapy of esophagitis in elderly patients.METHODS: A total of 320 patients over 65 years with endoscopically diagnosed esophagitis were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments for 8 wk: (1) omeprazole 20 mg/d; (2) lansoprazole 30 mg/d; (3) pantoprazole 40 mg/d, or (4) rabeprazole 20 mg/d. Major symptoms, compliance, and adverse events were recorded. After 8 wk, endoscopy and clinical evaluation were repeated.RESULTS: Per protocol and intention to treat healing rates of esophagitis were: omeprazole = 81.0% and 75.0%, lansoprazole = 90.7% (P = 0.143 vs omeprazole) and 85.0%, pantoprazole = 93.5% (P = 0.04 vs omeprazole) and 90.0% (P = 0.02 vs omeprazole), rabeprazole = 94.6% (P = 0.02 vs omeprazole) and 88.8% (P = 0.04 vs omeprazole). Dividing patients according to the grades of esophagitis, omeprazole was significantly less effective than the three other PPIs in healing grade 1 esophagitis (healing rates: 81.8% vs 100%, 100% and 100%, respectively, P = 0.012). Pantoprazole and rabeprazole (100%) were more effective vs omeprazole (89.6%, P = 0.0001)and lansoprazole (82.4%, P = 0.0001) in decreasing heartburn. Pantoprazole and rabeprazole (92.2% and 90.1%, respectively) were also more effective vs lansoprazole (75.0%, P < 0.05) in decreasing acid regurgitation. Finally, pantoprazole and rabeprazole (95.2% and 100%) were also more effective vs lansoprazole (82.6%, P < 0.05) in decreasing epigastric pain.CONCLUSION: In elderly patients, pantoprazole and rabeprazole were significantly more effective than omeprazole in healing esophagitis and than omeprazole or lansoprazole in improving symptoms. H pylori infection did not influence the healing rates of esophagitis after a short-term treatment with PPI.     

不同质子泵抑制剂三联治疗幽门螺杆菌阳性糜烂性胃炎的疗效差异

目的 比较不同质子泵抑制剂(PPI)和抗生素三联疗法治疗幽门螺杆菌(Hp)阳性糜烂性胃炎的疗效差异.方法 将Hp阳性糜烂性胃炎545例随机给予奥美拉唑、埃索美拉唑、泮托拉唑、兰索拉唑或雷贝拉唑联合阿莫西林与克拉霉素三联疗法治疗7d,比较各组疗效差异.结果 埃索美拉唑组在缓解症状、改善胃镜下表现方面显著高于其它各组,雷贝...     

Intravenous Pantoprazole as Initial Treatment in Patients With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and a History of Erosive Esophagitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

We sought to evaluate safety and efficacy of IV pantoprazole when used as initial therapy in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and a history of erosive esophagitis (EE) in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, parallel-group study. Patients were randomized to 7 days of once-daily IV or oral pantoprazole (40 mg) or placebo. Efficacy variables included maximal acid output, basal acid output, and changes from baseline in frequency/severity of GERD symptoms, and frequency of antacid usage. Seventy-eight patients were randomized (n=26/27/25 [IV/oral/placebo]). Mean maximal acid output was 8.4, 6.3, and 20.9 mEq/h for IV or oral pantoprazole, and placebo, respectively. For pantoprazole versus placebo, maximal and basal acid output were significantly lower (P<.001) and there was a numerical trend toward improved GERD and antacid usage. Both treatments were well tolerated. In conclusion, IV/oral pantoprazole were similarly effective in suppressing basal and pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion in GERD patients with a history of EE.     

A Study on the Efficacy of Proton Pump Inhibitors in Helicobacter pylori-Negative Primary Care Patients with Dyspepsia in Japan

Background/Aims

There have been few studies on the efficacy of proton pump inhibitors and the doses required to treat dyspeptic symptoms observed in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of different doses of omeprazole and different administration methods in Helicobacter pylori-negative, dyspeptic patients.

Methods

Patients with chronic upper abdominal symptoms within the previous 3 months were randomly divided into three groups: a daily, omeprazole 20 mg treatment group (OPZ20, n=61); a daily, omeprazole 10 mg treatment group (OPZ10, n=72); and an on-demand omeprazole 20 mg treatment group (on-demand, n=62). After 4 weeks of administration of the drug, symptom improvement rates were evaluated based on the Overall Global Severity score.

Results

The rates of symptom improvement after 4 weeks of treatment were 65.6% (40/61) in the OPZ20 group, 47.2% (34/72) in the OPZ10 group, and 50.0% (31/62) in the on-demand group. The OPZ20 group exhibited a significantly higher improvement rate (p=0.034) than the OPZ10 group. The OPZ20 group had significant improvements in regurgitation, postprandial fullness, vomiting, and bloating compared with the OPZ10 group.

Conclusions

Daily treatment with 20 mg of omeprazole was efficient in treating upper abdominal symptoms. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, number UMIN000002621.     

Effect of Preoperative Intravenous Pantoprazole in Elective-Surgery Patients: A Pilot Study

Background This study evaluated the effects of intravenous pantoprazole on gastric volume and acid output in elective-surgical patients. Methods This is a multicenter, randomized, pilot study of adult patients receiving intravenous pantoprazole: 40 mg every 24 h, 40 mg every 12 h (q12h) or 80 mg q12h. The first dose was administered 1 h before general anesthesia for surgery. All gastric fluid was aspirated through a nasogastric tube 1 h before dosing and through the postoperative period. Aspirate volume was recorded; pH and H⁺ concentrations were measured. Result Twenty-six patients were enrolled and 21 were evaluable. Pantoprazole was well tolerated. All regimens decreased gastric acid output and volume, and increased pH within 1 h of dosing. Effects were sustained for up to 12 h following single-dose administration. Conclusions Intravenous pantoprazole administered prior to anesthesia induction may be efficacious for the reduction of gastric volume and acid output, and for pulmonary aspiration prophylaxis in surgical patients.     

Long-Term Efficacy of Lansoprazole in Preventing Relapse of Erosive Reflux Esophagitis

In a phase III study of lansoprazole treatment, patients with healed or unhealed erosive esophagitis entered a titrated open-label treatment period and received lansoprazole for ≤6 years to assess long-term maintenance therapy. Doses were adjusted depending on symptom response. Endoscopy was performed yearly. One hundred ninety-five subjects received lansoprazole for <1 to 72 months; most received daily doses of ≤30 mg. Lansoprazole maintained erosive esophagitis remission in 75% of subjects receiving treatment for ≤72 months, with 39 subjects experiencing 50 recurrences. Most subjects (94–95%) had no or mild symptoms of day or night heartburn at study end, and 77% were asymptomatic at first erosive esophagitis recurrence. The most common treatment-related adverse events included diarrhea (10%), headache (8%), and abdominal pain (6%), and were mild or moderate in severity. Long-term lansoprazole is effective and well tolerated when used to maintain erosive esophagitis remission for ≤6 years.     

Atrial fibrillation in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease: A comprehensive review

AIM: To analyze the potential relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and the development of atrial fibrillation (AF).METHODS: Using the key words “atrial fibrillation and gastroesophageal reflux”, “atrial fibrillation and esophagitis, peptic”, “atrial fibrillation and hernia, hiatal” the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, OVIDSP, WILEY databases were screened for relevant publications on GERD and AF in adults between January 1972-December 2013. Studies written in languages other than English or French, studies not performed in humans, reviews, case reports, abstracts, conference presentations, letters to the editor, editorials, comments and opinions were not taken into consideration. Articles treating the subject of radiofrequency ablation of AF and the consecutive development of GERD were also excluded.RESULTS: Two thousand one hundred sixty-one titles were found of which 8 articles met the inclusion criteria. The presence of AF in patients with GERD was reported to be between 0.62%-14%, higher compared to those without GERD. Epidemiological data provided by these observational studies showed that patients with GERD, especially those with more severe GERD-related symptoms, had an increased risk of developing AF compared with those without GERD, but a causal relationship between GERD and AF could not be established based on these studies. The mechanisms of AF as a consequence of GERD remain largely unknown, with inflammation and vagal stimulation playing a possible role in the development of these disorders. Treatment with proton pomp inhibitors may improve symptoms related to AF and facilitate conversion to sinus rhythm.CONCLUSION: Although links between AF and GERD exist, large randomized clinical studies are required for a better understanding of the relationship between these two entities.     

Review: Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in the Elderly

The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) increases with age; older patients are more likely to develop severe disease. Common symptoms of GERD in the elderly include dysphagia, vomiting, and respiratory problems. Older patients are more likely to require aggressive therapy, and usually their management is compounded by the presence of comorbidities and consumption of various medications. Proton pump inhibitors are the mainstay of GERD treatment in the elderly because of their profound and consistent acid suppressive effect. Overall, proton pump inhibitors seem to be safe for both short- and long-term therapy in elderly patients with GERD. Antireflux surgery may be safe and effective in a subset of elderly patients with GERD.     

大剂量静脉用胺碘酮治疗顽固性、持续性室性心律失常的临床疗效及安全性

目的：评价静脉用胺碘酮（ａｍｉｏｄａｒｏｎｅ）对顽固性、持续性室性心动过速（ＳＶＴ）、心室颤动（ＶＦ）患者的临床疗效。方法：２４例ＳＶＴ和（或）ＶＦ患者，其中男１９例，女５例，平均年龄４９．２±１２．４岁；冠心病陈旧性心肌梗死１４例，心肌病７例，心肌炎２例，先天性心脏病１例。静脉注射胺碘酮首剂３～５ｍｇ／ｋｇ，１０分钟内注入，继之以１．０～１．５ｍｇ／ｍｉｎ维持静脉滴注，第１个２４小时总量平均２１６５．０±３８５．４ｍｇ（包括口服量），以后依病情渐减，维持静脉滴注平均４．２±２．５天。静脉应用同时加用口服胺碘酮６００～１２００ｍｇ／ｄ。第１次负荷量后，若心律失常控制不理想，可每隔１５～３０分钟再给１．５～３．０ｍｇ／ｋｇ的追加负荷量。疗效判断以ＳＶＴ和（或）ＶＦ消失为有效。结果：总有效率８３．３％。２例静脉用胺碘酮期间出现窦性心动过缓、窦性停搏及一过性Ⅱ度房室传导阻滞。经减量后恢复。结论：静脉应用大剂量胺碘酮治疗快速性室性心律失常安全有效。     

Risk Factors for the Severity of Erosive Esophagitis in Helicobacter pylori -Negative Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Background: The risk factors for the varying grades of erosive esophagitis (EE) severity could be better understood. For that reason, we evaluated the risk factors associated with EE in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Methods: We determined the presence and severity of EE (using the Los Angeles Classification) in patients with negative serology Helicobacter pylori who underwent esophago-gastroduodenoscopy as part of screening in four prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind comparative trials of once-daily esomeprazole and omeprazole for the acute healing of erosive esophagitis. We also examined the baseline characteristics of enrolled patients, and identified risk factors for severe disease using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: Erosive esophagitis was documented in 6709 patients of a total of 10,294 patients who underwent endoscopy; of these, 34% had grade A, 39% had grade B, 20% had grade C, and 7% had grade D disease. The majority of patients were male (61%) and Caucasian (93%) with a mean age of 46 years. In the regression model, the following were significant independent risk factors for severe (grades C and D) versus mild erosive esophagitis (grades A and B): severe heartburn (adjusted odds ratio 1.79); prolonged heartburn >5 years in duration (1.16); obesity (1.21); the presence of hiatus hernia (2.13); male gender (1.97); and Caucasian ethnicity (1.53). Conclusion: In this large sample of patients with predominantly H. pylori -negative gastroesophageal reflux disease, risk factors for severe erosive esophagitis were the duration and severity of heartburn, and obesity.     

胃食管反流病埃索美拉唑治疗长期随访研究

目的 研究埃索美拉唑长期维持或间歇治疗胃食管反流病(GERD)的疗效及安全性.方法 28例GERD患者先以每日2次每次20 mg埃索美拉唑为基础进行综合治疗2周,之后按治疗方式分为长期维持治疗组和间歇治疗组.维持治疗组患者为服用缓解症状所需最小剂量半年以上者.间歇治疗组患者每日1次口服埃索美拉唑20 mg维持至症状完全消失后停药,若症状复发则再以相同方案进行治疗.统计分析两组患者的用药剂量、复发情况及长期服用埃索美拉唑的不良反应.结果 13例患者需长期维持治疗(维持时间7～44个月),15例患者可通过间歇治疗达到症状缓解,均未见与埃索美拉唑相关的不良反应.13例长期维持治疗者中,缓解症状所需埃索美拉唑剂量7例为每日1次每次20 mg,5例为每日2次每次20 mg,1例为隔日1次每次20 mg.随访间歇治疗组患者10～57个月,发现服药时间越长,患者缓解时间越长,Pearson相关系数为0.447,差异有统计学意义(P=0.008).结论 GERD患者可通过埃索美拉唑长期维持治疗和间歇治疗两种方式缓解症状,且安全性较好.     

Gastroesophageal reflux disease after diagnostic endoscopy in the clinical setting

AIM: To investigate the outcome of patients with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) referred for endoscopy at 2 and 6 mo post endoscopy. METHODS: Consecutive patients referred for upper endoscopy for assessment of GERD symptoms at two large metropolitan hospitals were invited to participate in a 6-mo non-interventional (observational) study.The two institutions are situated in geographically and socially disparate areas. Data collection was by selfcompletion of questionnaires including the patient assessment of upper gastrointestinal disorders symptoms severity and from hospital records. Endoscopic finding using the Los-Angeles classification, symptom severity and it’s clinically relevant improvement as change of at least 25%, therapy and socio-demographic factors were assessed. RESULTS: Baseline data were available for 266 patients and 2-mo and 6-mo follow-up data for 128 and 108 patients respectively. At baseline, 128 patients had erosive and 138 non-erosive reflux disease. Allmost all patient had proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy in the past. Overall, patients with non-erosive GERD at the index endoscopy had significantly more severe symptoms as compared to patients with erosive or even complicated GERD while there was no difference with regard to medication. After 2 and 6 mo there was a small, but statistically significant improvement in symptom severity (7.02 ± 5.5 vs 5.9 ± 5.4 and 5.5 ± 5.4 respectively); however, the majority of patients continued to have symptoms (i.e. , after 6 mo 81% with GERD symptoms). Advantaged socioeconomic status as well as being unemployed was associated with greater improvement. CONCLUSION: The majority of GORD patients receive PPI therapy before being referred for endoscopy even though many have symptoms that do not sufficiently respond to PPI therapy.     

Long-Term Proton Pump Inhibitor Use in Children: A Retrospective Review of Safety

The objective of this work was to assess the efficacy of continuous proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy in children and to evaluate changes in biochemical, endoscopic, and histologic parameters during such treatment. A retrospective review of children receiving PPI therapy continuously for 1 year or more with baseline and follow-up esophageal and gastric biopsies on treatment was conducted to assess type, frequency, and duration of PPI dosing, symptom relief, gastrin levels, histologic findings, and adverse events. A total of 113 children (59 male, median age 4.5 years) were identified. Of these, 31% (35/113) were neurologically impaired. The median treatment duration was 35.2 months. Elevated serum gastrin levels occurred in 73% of children with no statistically significant differences in gastrin level by PPI type, dose, and dosing frequency or treatment duration. Adverse events were reported by 12% of children: diarrhea (5%) and constipation (4%) were the most frequent. Long-term PPI therapy appears to be effective, safe and well tolerated in children despite some biochemical, endoscopic, and histologic changes. Presented in part at Digestive Disease Week 2005, Chicago, IL, USA.     

Gastric cancer： Animal studies on the risk of hypoacidity and hypergastrinemia

Gastric hypoacidity and hypergastrinaemia are seen in several conditions associated with an increased risk of gastric malignancy. Hypoacidity and hypergastrinaemia are closely related and their long-term effects are difficult to study separately in patients. Studies using animal models can provide valuable information about risk factors and mechanisms in gastric cancer development as the models allow a high degree of intervention when introducing or eliminating factors possibly affecting carcinogenesis. In this report, we briefly review findings from relevant animal studies on this topic. Animal models of gastric hypoacidity and hypergastrinaemia provide evidence hypergastrinaemia is a common causative factor in many otherwise diverse settings. In all species where sufficient hypoacidity and hypergastrinaemia have been induced, a proportion of the animals develop malignant lesions in the gastric oxyntic mucosa.     

潘托拉唑治疗消化性溃疡临床疗效观察

目的：研究潘托拉唑治疗消化性溃疡的疗效及安全性。方法：将经胃镜证实的消化性溃疡患者随机分成潘托拉唑组（治疗组,简称潘组）和奥美拉唑组（对照组,简称奥组）,其中潘组60例,应用潘托拉唑40mg,1次／d;奥组58例;应用败类美拉唑20mg,1次／d。十二指肠溃疡患者疗程4周,胃溃疡6周。停药后均复查胃镜观察溃疡愈合情况。治疗期间每周随访1次。并记录症状改善情况及不良反应。结果：十二指肠溃疡的愈合率两组分别为91．7％和94．7％,胃溃疡的愈合率两组分别为91．7％反应。结果十二指肠溃疡的愈合率两组分别为91．7％和94．7％,胃溃疡的愈合率两组分别为91．7％和90．0％,P值均＞0．05。各项症状的改善情况两组相仿（P＞0．05）。治疗期间,两组均有良好的耐受性。结论潘托拉唑对消化性溃疡有较高的治愈率和症状改善率。疗效与奥美拉唑相当,其不良反应很少,患者耐受性好,是一种有应用前景的质子泵抑制剂。     

The Role of Acid Suppression in Barrett's Esophagus

In recent years, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have come under great scrutiny due to possible adverse, long-term side effects. At the same time, Barrett's esophagus, a premalignant condition in the esophagus, continues to be a disease whose course is thought to be improved by the use of PPIs. We review the impact of proton pump therapy on the esophagus and on Barrett's mucosa. In analyzing changes on a cellular level, we explore the effect of mixed gastric refluxate and the complex cascade that ensues with esophageal exposure of these contents. Because the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma is on the rise, we explore other factors that may contribute to the progression of Barrett's from non-dysplastic mucosa to esophageal adenocarcinoma. By revisiting the need for adequate acid suppression in Barrett's and increasing our understanding of other possible factors that may have an effect of Barrett's progression, we hope to support our multifaceted approach to acid suppression in patients with Barrett's esophagus.