Cost-effective management of severe gastroesophageal reflux disease: Toward an improved understanding of anti-reflux surgery

Abstract

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can generally be well-managed using proton pump inhibitors (PPI).1 Four weeks of PPI therapy can achieve about 70% of healing rate and 60-90% of complete symptom resolution.2 However, GERD is a great socioeconomic burden. In the United States, the direct cost of managing GERD exceeds $12 billion, which is higher than the overall direct cost from all digestive tract cancers ($8.4 billion).3 The significant cost involved in the management of patients with GERD is caused by a high prevalence in the population and the need for long-term medications.4,5