The economics of therapy of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a frequent and morbid clinical condition with a profound impact on quality of life. Treating patients with complicated GERD with H2RAs is clinically and economically inappropriate. Although drug acquisition costs are greater with PPIs compared with H2RAs (or surgical therapy compared with H2RAs) the greater efficacy of PPIs or surgery make them more cost-effective both in short-term and long-term economic models. The therapy which maintains the patient in remission is the cost-effective approach to managing the patient with GERD.