CLINICAL PREVALENCE AND CURRENT TREATMENT STANDARDS FOR GERD AND DYSPEPSIA, AND PERCEPTION OF EFFECTIVENESS AND SAFETY OF ITOPRIDE IN INDIAN PATIENTS - A PHYSICIANS' SURVEY

Abstract

In India, little information is available regarding physicians’ use of various treatment options in the management of
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and Functional Dyspepsia (FD). This survey aimed to understand the
prevalence of GERD and FD across age and gender, and the treatment options used in the management of FD and GERD
in the Indian clinical setting. A physician-based research survey was conducted between August 2020 and January
2021using a 22-item questionnaire. A total of 379 physicians spread over 159 cities in India participated in the survey.
Nearly 70% of physicians encountered 20%-40% of patients with symptoms of GERD and dyspepsia every month, with
10-20% being newly diagnosed. Moreover, FD was reported in 10%-30% of patients by 70% of physicians; further,
20%-40% of them had 30% patients with overlapping GERD+FD. For patients with FD, 56% of respondents reported
an overlap between epigastric pain syndrome (EPS) and post-prandial syndrome (PDS). Most patients were aged 30-55
years. The most preferred choice for treatment of EPS was proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) followed by prokinetics other
than itopride, and itopride. The use of prokinetics for EPS was quite low and for PDS, PPIs were prescribed by almost
50% of the physicians. Pantoprazole was the most preferred PPI. Itopride was considered for all patient profiles, with
most respondents using the sustained-release preparation. Findings from this research survey will help guide physicians
on the actual prevalence of and optimal management strategies for GERD and FD in India.