Background

Dyspepsia is a common complaint that leads to significant health care costs [1–3]. The management of dyspepsia and its related causes has progressed in recent years. In England, the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE), published recommendations (2004) to promote cost effective management [4]. Key recommendations were for follow-up, after direct access gastroscopy to maintain minimum effective therapy, to provide lifestyle advice and to perform an annual review. A large proportion of these patients are managed within primary care but the effectiveness of such care is unknown [5]. A contributory factor may be the limited time of a general practitioner's (GP) consultation and prioritisation of GP workload to more serious conditions. Other health-care professionals, such as gastrointestinal nurse practitioners (GNP), may be capable of taking on this role and provide more appropriate care within available resources.

This study describes a randomised controlled trial, which compared the effectiveness and impact on acid suppressant use and costs of a systematic GNP-led follow-up in an outpatient clinic to usual care by GPs, in patients with dyspepsia after direct access gastroscopy.

Methods

All GP surgeries in the catchment area of a teaching hospital referral centre (Southampton University Hospital Trust) were included. All direct access referrals for gastroscopy were screened to exclude those with sinister symptoms i.e. dysphagia, vomiting, anaemia, rapid weight loss or those with history of gastric surgery. Patients were consented at the point of recruitment. Trained medical endoscopists performed the gastroscopy procedure. Patients found to have peptic ulcer, tumour, severe oesophagitis (grade C and D), Barrett's oesophagus and anatomical abnormality were excluded. Patients included were those with mild gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD – non-erosive or grade A and B oesophagitis, hiatus hernia), non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) (mild and moderate gastritis or duodenitis) and those with normal findings.

Baseline details of socio-demographic factors, education, self-reported height and weight, smoking, alcohol (current versus non-drinker) and ulcer healing drugs (UHD) used in the past 6 months were collected by interview of all patients presenting for elective gastroscopy at Southampton University Hospitals Trust for the period between May 2002 to May 2004. All patients also completed two validated questionnaires relating to the past 6 months: the Glasgow Dyspepsia severity scores (Gladys) and the Health Status Short Form 12 (SF-12) [6, 7]. After gastroscopy, endoscopists maintained their routine practice in giving verbal and written advice to patients and documented treatment recommendation to GPs in a formal report. Patients eligible for entry after endoscopy were randomised into intervention (GNP) and control (GP) groups, with a password protected, computer generated random number table. The endoscopists telephoned a separate office to obtain the follow-up status. The 'GNP' group was given one out-patient appointment. The 'GP' cohort was discharged and advised to see their GP.

In the nurse-led clinic, a full medical history was taken. The clinical management was structured, based on national and local guidelines, with reference to each patient's predominant symptoms. Patients were given counselling and lifestyle advice, supplemented with relevant locally devised leaflets i.e. reflux, non-ulcer dyspepsia, weight control, and an individualised treatment plan agreed with them. Further investigation such as the urea breath test, motility studies and barium meal were initiated if required, as per routine clinical practice. To ensure practice consistency and reproducibility, 'history taking' and 'lifestyle advice' proformas were devised and used.

Follow-up

A researcher blinded to the patients' study status and diagnosis, interviewed all participants by telephone, at a pre-arranged time suitable to the patient, six months after randomisation. Data collected were Gladys dyspepsia score, SF-12 score, self-reported UHD used and weight and a patient satisfaction questionnaire.

Drug use and cost

The use of UHDs for the six months before (baseline) and for 6 months after trial entry were summed and averaged according to class: Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and Histamine2 receptor antagonists (H2RA) and strength (half and full-dose PPI). Half-dose PPI and H2RAs were grouped, as they were equivalent in costs. Drug use by month, based on quantity of tablets, was therefore grouped: 'full-dose PPI' vs 'half-dose PPI and H2RA' vs 'no treatment'. Twice daily full-dose PPI was counted as 2 months and alternate days use counted as half a month. On demand therapy was recorded according to number of tablet/s taken per week and multiplied by 4 to give a monthly quantity. UHD prices were taken for each specific UHD from Monthly Index of Medical Speciality (MIMS 2006) and Drug Tariff (2006).

Statistical analysis

A sample size calculation indicated that a minimum of 186 patients, 93 in each group, would be needed to detect a 1 point of improvement on the Gladys dyspepsia scale with 80% power at the 5% significance level. This calculation was based on a standard deviation of 2.85 that came from a pilot study of 30 cases presenting for gastroscopy in which the Gladys scores were obtained before the procedure.

The two groups were compared by the change from baseline to month 6 in the key outcome variables – Gladys score, SF12 and overall UHDs cost, adjusted for baseline values by including the baseline levels of the outcome in the ANOVA as a covariate; p < 0.05 was taken as being significant. Intention to treat analysis was undertaken by assuming the 15 patients with no 6 month follow-up data did not change from baseline. The component scales of SF12 and Gladys were analysed with p values calculated using the Mann-Whitney or Chi-square test where appropriate; a p value of < 0.01 was taken because of multiple testing.

Local ethics committee approval was obtained (reference no. 050-02) and the study registered with the Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust Research Department.

Results

Over a 2 year period, on the elective direct access gastroscopy lists at which the GNP could attend, 199 unselected patients were approached and 196 (98.5%) were recruited. One hundred and seventy five (89.3%) patients were eligible after investigation. Of the 21 ineligible patients, 16 did not meet the criteria (Barrett's oesophagus: 6, oesophagitis grade C: 2, oesophageal stricture: 1, peptic ulcer disease: 3, possible cancer: 1). Three cases were deemed unsuitable by the endoscopist, as symptoms were attributed to other conditions (rhinitis 1, angina 2). Two did not have the procedure (failed intubation 1, food in stomach 1).

The 175 patients were randomised, 86 to GP follow-up (GP) and 89 to nurse follow-up (GNP). There were no obvious differences in the baseline characteristics of the two groups in age, BMI, smoking, alcohol and education status (see Table 1). The baseline Gladys scores (high scores equal higher burden of disease and symptoms) were similar (10.0 vs 9.9) but the SF12 scores (672.0 vs 627.7) were higher (high scores equal better health) in the GP group (see Table 1). The cost of UHD used, 6 months prior to the investigation, was lower in the GP group (£52.4 vs £59.5).

Table 1 Baseline characteristics of patients randomised to 'GP' and 'GNP' groups.
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Intervention

Early withdrawals (GP n = 3 GNP n = 4) after randomisation were experienced in both groups (Figure 1), Three in the 'GP' group decided not to see their GP. The four in the 'GNP' group were due to work commitments (2), leaving the area (1) and after own GP consultation (1). 78/89 (88%) actually attended the GNP clinic compared to only 40/86 (47%) in the GP arm.

Figure 1
figure 1

This figure shows the number of patients approached, recruited, randomised to follow-up and seen by the Gastrointestinal nurse practitioner and GPs in both cohorts.

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In the GP arm, 12 (30.0%) recalled not having had their gastroscopy findings explained, 23 (57.5%) were given lifestyle advice and 5 (12.5%) received dyspepsia information leaflets by their GPs. Most patients found the information given to them of limited use and most of them rated it ineffective in changing their lifestyle. In contrast, all those who attended the nurse-led clinic said that their gastroscopy findings were explained and receiving lifestyle advice with leaflets. Furthermore, most patients reported that this information enabled them to make positive lifestyle changes.

6 month follow-up

The response rate was high: 79/86 (92%) in the GP arm and 81/89 (91%) patients in the GNP arm (see Figure 1). Both groups had symptom improvement at 6 month follow-up but this was significantly better in the 'GNP' group (see Table 2) showing the Gladys score difference adjusted for baseline was 2.3 (1.4–3.1, p < 0.001). The SF12 data also showed that the nurse group had the greatest improvement (140.7 (96.5–184.8) p < 0.001). 'GP' drug costs (per patient per week) rose by £19.30 and 'GNP' group fell by £24.30 over the study period with a significant difference at 6 months (£39.6 (£24.2–£55.1) p < 0.001).

Table 2 Comparison of key outcomes at 6 month follow-up between the 'GP' and 'GNP' groups.
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Seven patients in each arm had a positive H. pylori test and received eradication therapy. The same number of patients (3) in each group had further tests. In the 'GP' group, 2 patients recalled having a urea breath test to confirm eradication success and 1 had abdominal ultra sound for epigastric pain; all had negative findings. Three patients in the 'nurse' group had 24-hour pH manometery studies, for volume reflux and severe GORD was confirmed. Two patients opted for surgical intervention. Criteria for further investigation by the nurse were according to routine clinical protocol for patients with severe and/or treatment resistant dyspeptic symptoms.

Of the nine domains in the Gladys questionnaire (see Table 3), four showed improvement in the 'GNP' group: reduced episodes of dyspepsia (p = 0.003), less dyspepsia interfering with normal activities (p < 0.001), lower doctor visits (though this would be anticipated due to the design), and less prescribed UHDs (p = 0.001); no significant differences were seen in the remaining five. Seven out of twelve domains in SF12 (see Table 4) showed significant improvement in the 'GNP' group.

Table 3 Comparison of individual Gladys questionnaire responses at 6 month follow-up.
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Table 4 Comparison of individual SF12 questions at 6 months follow-up.
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Patterns of drug use

The baseline UHD use was well matched (see Table 1) between the 2 groups. Over the 6 month follow-up period the GNP group consumed less months of 'full-dose PPI' medication 1.5(0.8–2.1) p < 0.0001 and more had 'no treatment' 1.7(0.9–2.4) p < 0.001. There were similar months of 'half-dose PPIs and H2RAs'used in both groups (see Table 5).

Table 5 Comparison of monthly UHD use at 6 month follow-up between 'GP' and 'GNP' groups.
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Discussion

This is the first randomised controlled trial to investigate the effectiveness of nurse-led dyspepsia management compared to usual GP follow-up. A robust reproducible intervention to control symptoms and minimise medication was achieved by providing patients with appropriate information after OGD. The main findings were a significant reduction in symptom severity, an improvement in health related quality of life, and reduced anti-ulcer drug use and costs in the nurse-led group.

This trial followed established design principles with concealed allocation, minimal loss to follow-up, blinding of assessment and use of validated assessment instruments. It was a pragmatic study, which compared different professionals in different locations comparing current practice. The main limitation was the use of a single centre with only six-month follow-up. Longer follow-up would allow assessment of sustainability of the intervention, and increasing the number of centres would enhance generalisibility. A potential limitation was the lack of distinction between different diagnostic groups; with mixing of non-ulcer type and reflux-type symptoms though appropriate lifestyle advice was provided based on predominant symptoms. We did not undertake full economic costing but rather focused on drug costs as the major component. The overall cost-effectiveness of this strategy need further evaluation taking into account all cost elements i.e. clinicians' time, additional investigation, surgical intervention and administrative support.

Previous studies have shown the beneficial effect of gastroscopy on patients' symptoms [8–10]. The outcome of this study shows that the additional interventions in the nurse-led clinic had added benefit; by reducing UHD costs on the background of improved symptoms and well being. The major differences between this and other upper GI nurse-led studies include the use of valid end-points, randomised design and estimation of the impact on drug cost [11–13]. This study demonstrates that investigation is not the end point of dyspepsia management; rather it provides clinicians with the means to formulate a personalised treatment plan and the importance of explanation, counselling and patient empowerment in managing their illness.

A contributory factor to the greater effectiveness of nurse-led care might have been the low attendance rate (47%) of patients to see their GPs after endoscopy, compared to the almost universal attendance at the nurse clinic. This emphasizes the need for appropriate advice even if patients are found to have minor or normal findings. Patient perspectives on the nurse clinic were very positive. The structured approach supported by locally devised lifestyle leaflets to reinforce this advice, may have motivated patients to self-care more effectively e.g. avoid late meals, reduce portion size, smoking, alcohol and caffeine and may have contributed to the outcome differences [14–18].

The cost of drugs used had increased by approximately one third at six months review in the 'GP' group. This increase was consistent with the Gladys questionnaire in 'over-the-counter' drug use. Dyspepsia is a symptoms-complex disorder and although UHDs may be effective in controlling acid-related symptoms, their use for non-acid related disorders are inadequate [19–22]. Thus with advice on healthy lifestyle and stress management, non-acid related symptoms could be controlled more effectively, leading to UHD reduction. In a wider context, nurse-led follow-up could augment medical care, improve general health and release doctors' time to focus on more complex cases. This may be an important strategy as more diagnostic endoscopy is carried out in primary care, though the effectiveness of nurse-led care within the primary care setting would need to be tested. The study did not examine GPs' satisfaction with nurse-managed care, as it has been established in other specialist nurse-led services [23–25].

It is conceivable that the strategy could be transferable to other specialist areas with less complex, high volume illnesses, e.g. irritable bowel syndrome, where time and counselling skills are required in addition to support from both medical and nursing professional bodies [26–29]. Furthermore, this is an agenda in the NHS reform of the care of patients with chronic illness in the community [30].

Conclusion

In conclusion, follow-up management of dyspepsia after direct access gastroscopy is variable. It can be standardised involving an experienced GNP, with sufficient time to give practical advice, which can empower patient to self-care effectively. This can lead to substantial health gains and reductions in drug costs in the community. This approach needs to be tested in other centres.