Family practice
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Empirical treatment followed by a test-and-treat strategy is more cost-effective in comparison with prompt endoscopy or radiography in patients with dyspeptic symptoms: a randomized trial in a primary care setting.
Management of patients with dyspepsia remains controversial. No consensus has yet been reached concerning diagnostic and medical strategies. We conducted a randomized trial to assess the effectiveness of three management strategies for patients with uninvestigated persistent dyspeptic symptoms. ⋯ Empirical treatment followed by a test-and-eradicate strategy resulted in fewer diagnostic tests, more symptom relief and lower medical costs compared with prompt upper gastrointestinal radiography or endoscopy in the management of uninvestigated patients with persistent dyspeptic symptoms.