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Recent enthusiasm for endoscopic treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been fueled by the relatively high cost of maintenance pharmacotherapy for GERD as well as the morbidity, mortality, and waning effectiveness associated with surgery. Although data support the safety and efficacy of GERD endotherapy, a cost analysis of these procedures has been lacking.
Researchers constructed a decision-analysis model using a cost-minimization approach and published outcomes data for radiofrequency ablation (the Stretta procedure), endoscopic suturing (Endocinch procedure), and proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment (20 mg esomeprazole, either daily or twice daily dosing). During a 3-year period, PPI treatment remained the most cost-effe…