Management of dyspeptic patients by general practitioners and specialists
V Stanghellini, C Tosetti, G Barbara, B Salvioli, R De Giorgio, R Corinaldesi
Department of Internal
Medicine and Gastroenterology, University of Bologna,
Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, Via Massarenti 9, I-40138 Bologna, Italy
Correspondence to: Dr Stanghellini.
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Introduction |
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The respective roles of general practitioners and specialists in the management of most diseases is not clearly defined and dyspepsia is no exception. Ideally, the division of tasks should be based on the characteristics of different diseases and on specific objectives.
The prevalence of dyspepsia ranges between 20 and 40% in industrialised countries and roughly 25% of patients seek medical help, whereas the remainder often self-medicate.1 Although frequently idiopathic (or functional), dyspepsia can be secondary to a variety of serious (and sometimes fatal) organic, systemic and metabolic diseases that need to be identified. Functional dyspepsia also precipitates a substantial reduction in the quality of life of affected patients with relevant costs for society. The current economic restrictions prevent referral of every patient and correct management of dyspepsia is a formidable task.
Prospective studies have been undertaken to establish the respective
effectiveness of different doctors in the management of some
gastroenterological diseases.
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