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Background/Aims The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has increased in Korea, and the economic burden of this chronic disease is substantial. We aim to investigate the treatment pattern and economic burden in Korea of refractory GERD requiring long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of nationally representative sample data obtained from 2012 to 2016 and provided by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. The participants were 86 936 in the medication group and 40 in the surgery group. Age- and sex-standardized prevalence of refractory GERD requiring PPIs medication for more than 12 weeks were analyzed. Generalized linear models were used to estimate cost ratios for comparing the medical costs of the surgery and medication groups after adjustment for demographics and comorbidity. Results The prevalence of refractory GERD increased from 1.2% in 2012 to 1.9% in 2016, and the estimated total number of GERD patients increased from 402 000 to 736 000 during this time period. The medical expenditures of the surgery group within 90 days of antireflux surgery (ARS) were 16.9-fold higher compared to those of the medication group; the significant difference in medical costs between the 2 groups disappeared after 90 days post-surgery. Conclusions The prevalence of refractory GERD requiring long-term use of PPIs has been trending upwards recently. Nevertheless, ARS is very rarely performed. Considering the increasing medical costs of long-term PPI use, further cost-effectiveness analysis is needed to compare ARS and PPI therapy for the treatment of GERD in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims The economic burden for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has recently increased in Asian countries. This study investigates the cost-effectiveness between anti-reflux surgery and medication, with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for GERD in Korea. Methods We used a decision tree and Markov model to obtain the costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) of the surgical and medical strategies. Our target cohort was the severe GERD patients aged 50 years old who required a continuous double dose of PPIs. The time horizon was 10 years and all estimates were discounted at 5% per year. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of the anti-reflux surgery compared with medication with PPIs was calculated. Sensitivity analyses were performed on all relevant variables. Results The cost-utility analysis indicated anti-reflux surgery was more cost-effective than medication among severe GERD patients over a 10- year period. The model predicted that the surgical strategy had a cost savings of $551 and the QALYs had a gain of 1.18 as compared with the medical strategy. The break-even point in costs of the anti-reflux surgery over the medication was estimated to be 9 years. Sensitivity analyses using the varying parameter assumptions demonstrated the robustness of the study results. Conclusions This study showed anti-reflux surgery was less expensive and more effective therapy over the PPI medication after 9 years of follow-up. This suggests the surgical strategy is a cost-effective alternative to PPI medication among patients who need long-term management for GERD in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgrounds/Aims This multicenter study aims to evaluate the effect and feasibility of anti-reflux surgery compared with medical treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Methods: Patients with GERD who were undergoing medical treatment with proton pump inhibitors for more than 8 weeks and those who were scheduled to undergo anti-reflux surgery were enrolled. Efficacy of pre-operative medical treatment was evaluated retrospectively and effect of anti-reflux surgery was prospectively evaluated at 1 week and 3 months after surgery. Quality of life (QOL) was also investigated before and after surgery. Results: Between February and October 2018, 51 patients underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for treating GERD at 5 hospitals in Korea. Thirty-four patients (66.7%) showed poor proton pump inhibitor response. At 3 months after surgery, heartburn was completely resolved in 87.9% patients and partially improved in 9.1%. Acid regurgitation was completely resolved in 82.9% and partially improved in 11.4%. Atypical extraesophageal symptoms were completely controlled in 45.5% and partially controlled in 36.4%. GERD-related QOL scores at 1 week after surgery significantly improved compared with pre-operative scores. There was no difference in GERD-related QOL scores between 1 week and 3 months after surgery. General QOL measured with European QOL-5 dimensions and health-related QOL instrument with 8 items significantly improved after anti-reflux surgery. Satisfaction with treatment was significantly higher after surgery than before surgery (72.5% vs 11.8%, P < 0.001). Conclusion Anti-reflux surgery improved GERD symptoms and QOL in patients. Anti-reflux surgery is an effective treatment option compared with medical treatment for GERD patients selected for surgical treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]