Noncardiac chest pain--an Asia-Pacific survey on the views of primary care physicians

Dig Dis Sci. 2007 Nov;52(11):3043-8. doi: 10.1007/s10620-007-9764-x. Epub 2007 Apr 10.

Abstract

Noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) is common and has a significant impact on health care. Primary care physicians (PCPs)' attitudes, clinical approach, preference of diagnostic tests, referral patterns, and comfort in managing patients with NCCP in the Asia-Pacific region are not known. Consequently, we performed this survey in the Asia-Pacific region. The self-completed questionnaire was sent to PCPs in the Asia-Pacific region. A 28-item questionnaire contained questions on demographic information, characteristics of practice, preferences of diagnostic tests, referral patterns, treatment plans, and opinion on Helicobacter pylori and NCCP. A total of 108 (74%) PCPs returned the questionnaire. A mean of 18% of the patients were diagnosed with NCCP by PCPs in the past 6 months. Ninety-four percent of PCPs had treated NCCP patients in the last 6 months. Only 38% of the PCPs were comfortable in diagnosing NCCP but 85.2% believed that they should manage NCCP patients. PCPs in Malaysia and Philippines were more likely to refer patients to subspecialists. Fifty-seven and four-tenths percent of PCPs believed that H. pylori infection plays a role in the development of NCCP. The study demonstrates clearly that the understanding, diagnostic strategies, and treatment strategies of NCCP in the Asia-Pacific region are suboptimal and thus highlights the importance of educational and training programs tailored for PCPs in NCCP.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Asia, Southeastern / epidemiology
  • Chest Pain / epidemiology
  • Chest Pain / etiology*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Helicobacter Infections / complications*
  • Helicobacter Infections / epidemiology
  • Hong Kong / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Physician's Role
  • Physicians, Family*
  • Population Surveillance / methods*
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'
  • Prognosis
  • Referral and Consultation / standards
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors