Unsedated peroral wireless pH capsule placement vs. standard pH testing: A randomized study and cost analysis

作者:Andrews Christopher N*; Sadowski Daniel C; Lazarescu Adriana; Williams Chad; Neshev Emil; Storr Martin; Au Flora; Heitman Steven J
来源:BMC Gastroenterology, 2012, 12: 58.
DOI:10.1186/1471-230X-12-58

摘要

Background: Wireless capsule pH-metry (WC) is better tolerated than standard nasal pH catheter (SC), but endoscopic placement is expensive. Aims: to confirm that non-endoscopic peroral manometric placement of WC is as effective and better tolerated than SC and to perform a cost analysis of the available esophageal pH-metry methods. %26lt;br%26gt;Methods: Randomized trial at 2 centers. Patients referred for esophageal pH testing were randomly assigned to WC with unsedated peroral placement or SC after esophageal manometry (ESM). Primary outcome was overall discomfort with pH-metry. Costs of 3 different pH-metry strategies were analyzed: 1) ESM + SC, 2) ESM + WC and 3) endoscopically placed WC (EGD + WC) using publicly funded health care system perspective. %26lt;br%26gt;Results: 86 patients (mean age 51 +/- 2 years, 71% female) were enrolled. Overall discomfort score was less in WC than in SC patients (26 +/- 4 mm vs 39 +/- 4 mm VAS, respectively, p = 0.012) but there were no significant group differences in throat, chest, or overall discomfort during placement. Overall failure rate was 7% in the SC group vs 12% in the WC group (p = 0.71). Per patient costs ($Canadian) were $1475 for EGD + WC, $1014 for ESM + WC, and $906 for ESM + SC. Decreasing the failure rate of ESM + WC from 12% to 5% decreased the cost of ESM + WC to $991. The ESM + SC and ESM + WC strategies became equivalent when the cost of the WC device was dropped from $292 to $193. %26lt;br%26gt;Conclusions: Unsedated peroral WC insertion is better tolerated than SC pH-metry both overall and during placement. Although WC is more costly, the extra expense is partially offset when the higher patient and caregiver time costs of SC are considered.

  • 出版日期2012-5-31