Treatment with a PPI was often second or third line therapy with the majority of patients
having tried ‘over-the-counter’ medicines before seeking help from the GP. Both patients and
doctors reported PPIs as the best treatment drugs, although patients did not rate their
effectiveness as highly. Patients described occasional symptoms despite the use of PPIs but
in general, it was felt PPIs restored a degree of predictability and normality to everyday living
with long-term symptom management a key factor in improving quality of life. Some patients
expressed the concern that PPIs, whilst providing much needed symptomatic relief, were not
a cure and were anxious about the prospect of taking medicine for the rest of their lives.
Furthermore, patients were worried that reliance on drug therapies such as PPIs might inhibit
further research into the cause and cure of gastric disease. Most patients offered their
support to any initiative that would dispense with their long-term need for PPIs.
“The only thing that does bother me, like I say, is this going to be it? Is all you have got to
look forward to, taking drugs? There just seems to be no ending to it.”
The investigators suggest that greater awareness of the patient perspective might enable
doctors to help patients control their symptoms more effectively and explore alternative ways
of treating and managing their disorder. In particular greater understanding of prolonged PPI
use would enable patients to make better informed decisions about treatment.