Pre-Endoscopy PPI Therapy for UGIB Reduces Cost of Care

Although PPI therapy did not change clinical outcomes, it decreased the need for endoscopic therapy and allowed more patients to be discharged early, resulting in an overall reduction in costs.

Studies have suggested that, in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB), early (pre-endoscopy) proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy reduces the prevalence of high-risk stigmata during subsequent endoscopies and decreases the need for endoscopic therapies (JW Gastroenterol Jun 6 2008). Little is known, however, about the cost-effectiveness of early PPI therapy for UGIB.

To address this gap, investigators constructed a decision-analysis model using data collected during a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of high-dose pre-endoscopy omeprazole therapy in patients with UGIB (JW Gastroenterol Apr 18 2007). The model incorporated the direct costs of care in Hong Kong, where the trial took place.

The overall direct cost for patients t…

Reviewing Author

David J. Bjorkman, MD, MSPH (HSA), SM (Epid.)

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

David J. Bjorkman, MD, MSPH (HSA), SM (Epid.)

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose