Gastroesophageal reflux disease: problematic issues of organising outpatient medical care for the adult population.

OBJECTIVE

Aim: To determine the problematic issues of the organization of outpatient medical care for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) at the current stage by analyzing the incidence rates and the structure of visits to doctors of a medical institution over a 5-year period.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Materials and

Methods

The reported data on the provision of outpatient medical care by doctors of various specialties to the adult population with GERD (ICD-10: К21, К44) from 01.01.2019 to 31.12.2023 were analyzed - 3203 cases of medical visits, 1270 patients.

RESULTS

Results

The prevalence of GERD among the adult urban population is on average 89,84 (83,17-99,12) cases per 10 000, with a tendency to increase prevailing significantly among women and older adults (60 years and older). An imbalance has been established in the system of medical care for patients with GERD, with the dominant role of gastroenterologists, which creates an additional burden on secondary care physicians.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions

The system of medical care for patients with GERD in real conditions is focused on specialized care by gastroenterology doctors with secondary involvement of primary care doctors, which is contrary to existing standards and international practice, and requires improvement of the functional and organizational model of outpatient medical care for such patients.