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92 PROVIDER-PATIENT COMMUNICATION RE: PROTON PUMP INHIBITOR (PPI) TREATMENT FOR UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL (UGI) SYMPTOMS CA Fallone1, S Veldhuyzen van Zanten2, LE Targownik3, E Cui4, M Mekky5, GLA Horbay5, FA Husein-Bhabha5 Patients' concerns regarding PPI treatment for UGI symptoms may differ from physicians' considerations when selecting treatment options. An on-line Ipsos survey was conducted among PPI users (n=643) to evaluate attitudes toward quality-of-life (QoL), PPIs and physician care with respect to their UGI condition. A subsequent survey among physicians (n=161; 26 gastroenterologists [GIs] and 135 primary care practitioners [PCPs]) evaluated PPI prescribing, particularly factors influencing selection.
1Division of Gastroenterology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec; 2Division of Gastroenterology, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia; 3Section of Gastroenterology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba; 4Business Information, Janssen-Ortho Inc, Toronto, Ontario; 5Clinical Affairs, Janssen-Ortho Inc, Toronto, Ontario
UGI symptoms affected patients' self-assessed QoL, with 31% reporting that they would do "whatever it takes" to control symptoms and 32% indicating that symptoms made life "miserable" before taking PPIs. Cost and efficacy of PPI treatment were important considerations for patients. Concern about PPI side effects was expressed by 18%, with 24% worried about long-term side effects; a concern indicated more often by females. Many patients (30%) preferred when their doctor gave "different treatment options rather than just writing a prescription".
Practitioners indicated the major factors influencing prescribing as efficacy and cost (including formulary coverage). Of the top 10 factors governing treatment selection, safety/side effect profile was ranked low by both GIs and PCPs, likely due to the excellent safety profile of PPIs.
These findings highlight a communication gap between patients and physicians, particularly regarding the differing comfort level with side effects of PPI treatment. While PPI treatment is recognized as beneficial, patients desire discussion with their physicians about nonpharmacological options to better understand these issues and to actively participate in the management of their own health care.
Funded by an unrestricted grant from Janssen-Ortho Inc, Toronto, Ontario