Orthopaedic & Rheumatologic Institute Outcomes

The American Gastroenterological Association Institute Medical Position Panel¹ recommends antisecretory drugs for the treatment of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), based on their ability to heal esophagitis and provide symptomatic relief. Proton pump inhibitors are more effective than histamine 2 receptor antagonists, which are more effective than placebo. This recommendation is graded A: strongly recommended based on good evidence that it improves important health outcomes. The percentage of patients with systemic sclerosis and GERD who were on antisecretory medications was 66.1% in 2018, 67.5% in 2019, 64.6% in 2020, 67.5% in 2021, and 67.1% in 2022. A review of patients not on a prescription antisecretory medicine showed frequent use of over-the-counter antisecretory drugs.

¹Kahrilas PJ, Shaheen NJ, Vaezi MF, Hiltz SW, Black E, Modlin IM, Johnson SP, Allen J, Brill JV. American Gastroenterological Association Medical Position Statement on the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Gastroenterology. 2008 Oct;135(4):1383-1391.

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