Malaika Hilliard 202/973-5896 [email protected]
Sharon Burns-Pavlovsky 202/973-2934[email protected]
Reassurance from Negative Endoscopy Lowers Health AnxietyLong term improvement could lead to lower health care spending
LAS VEGAS (October 22, 2001) -- Anxious gastroenterology patients who receive the reassurance of a negative endoscopic exam show an immediate improvement in their health behavior, and these gains in well-being are maintained over time, according to new research presented today at the 66th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology. If this long-term improvement is maintained, the investigators suggest, it could translate into a reduction in overall health care spending and utilization.
A team of researchers from the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee led by Affan Quadri, M.D. and Nimish Vakil, M.D., FACG performed endoscopies and administered two validated measures of health behavior and symptoms (the Health Anxiety Questionnaire, or HAQ, and the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale, or GSRS) to 137 patients. One hundred and nineteen of them completed the six-month follow-up period, and their results were reported at the meeting. If an exam was negative, the physician reassured the patient using a standardized method, which included discussion about the absence of cancer and pre-cancerous lesions and the implications of the findings for the individual's future health. Patients then immediately repeated the two instruments, which they also were required to complete a month and six months following the endoscopy.
A Persistent ResponseThe investigators found that HAQ scores for health anxiety decreased immediately after the exam and remained lowered through the six-month follow-up period. Other measures, including fear of illness and death, health worry, and reassurance-seeking behavior, also diminished, and these declines persisted over time. GSRS scores for abdominal pain and reflux improved during the course of follow-up as well.
"Although it may seem paradoxical, in some circumstances the use of health technology may ultimately reduce the overall cost of care," said Quadri. "Our results show that the reassurance provided by a negative endoscopy lowers health anxiety and may improve symptomatic response as well. It may well be that a less anxious patient may spend less time focusing on symptoms and this behavioral change may, over time, produce a reduction in health care utilization."
The American College of Gastroenterology was formed in 1932 to advance the scientific study and medical treatment of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. The College promotes the highest standards in medical education and is guided by its commitment to meeting the needs of clinical gastroenterology practitioners. Consumers can get more information on GI diseases through the following ACG-sponsored programs:
-- 1-800-978-7666 (free brochures on common GI disorders, including ulcer, colon cancer, gallstones and liver disease)-- 1-800-HRT-BURN (free brochure and video on heartburn and GERD)-- www.acg.gi.org (ACG's Web site)
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