Functional Dyspepsia (FD) is a common gastrointestinal disorder affecting about 7.2% of the population, characterized by gastroduodenal symptoms without an identifiable organic cause. It is divided into two subtypes based on the Rome IV criteria: (i) Postprandial Distress Syndrome (PDS): Meal-related symptoms like postprandial fullness and early satiation.; (ii) Epigastric Pain Syndrome (EPS): Meal-unrelated symptoms like epigastric pain or burning. Treatment options are limited, but prokinetics are commonly used, targeting suspected motility issues. A meta-analysis showed prokinetics reduce symptoms. Itopride, a D2 antagonist and acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, has shown potential efficacy, especially in Asian populations. As Itopride became available in Belgium since 2023, there is a lack of real-life outcome data in Western patients with functional dyspepsia/postprandial distress syndrome who receive treatment in standard clinical practice. Hence, the aim of this pragmatic observational study is to follow up a cohort of functional dyspepsia/postprandial distress syndrome patients in whom itopride treatment is started as part of routine clinical practice.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
200
UZ Leuven
Leuven, Belgium
PAGI-SYM improvement
The primary endpoint for this study is symptom improvement at week 8. For this, the symptomatic improvement as assessed by the Patient Assessment of Gastrointestinal Disorders-Symptom Severity Index (PAGI-SYM) compared to baseline will be evaluated for each symptomatic domain (heartburn/regurgitation, fullness/early satiety, nausea/vomiting, bloating, upper abdominal pain, lower abdominal pain) where a MCID has been previously been established.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Symptom Improvement
Symptom evolution will be assessed using the PAGI-SYM questionnaire. The PAGI-SYM will be administered at baseline, week 8, and week 16 to evaluate changes in individual gastrointestinal symptoms over time. Previously established minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) will be used to aid in the interpretation of changes.
Time frame: From baseline to +16 weeks (end of trial)
Perceived Treatment Effectiveness
Perceived treatment effectiveness will be assessed using the Overall Treatment Evaluation (OTE) questionnaire. The OTE will be assessed at visit 1 and visit 2 to capture the patient's subjective sense treatment effectiveness. Together with the PAGI-SYM questionnaire, these instruments will provide both objective and patient-perceived measures of symptom change during the study period.
Time frame: From baseline to +16 weeks (end of trial)
Health-economic evaluation: WPAI
Health-economic outcomes will be assessed using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) questionnaire. This instrument will be used to evaluate changes in work productivity related to gastric symptoms. Together with the EuroQol 5 Dimension 5 Level (EQ-5D-5L) and Health Resource Utilization (HRU) questionnaires, these data will be used to assess the economic impact of the intervention.
Time frame: -6 months to +16 weeks (end of trial)
Health-economic evaluation and quality of life: EQ-5D-5L
Health-economic outcomes and quality of life will be assessed using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. This instruments will be used to evaluate changes in health-related quality of life related to gastric symptoms. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) will be calculated based on EQ-5D-5L responses to support cost-utility analysis.
Time frame: -6 months to +16 weeks (end of trial)
Health-economic evaluation: HRU
Health-economic outcomes will be assessed using the HRU questionnaire. This instrument will be used to evaluate changes in healthcare resource utilization related to gastric symptoms.Health resource use will be collected retrospectively for the 6 months prior to baseline and prospectively throughout the study to estimate direct medical costs.
Time frame: -6 months to +16 weeks (end of trial)
Quality of life evaluation
Quality of life will be assessed using the Patient Assessment of Upper Gastrointestinal Disorders-Quality of Life (PAGI-QOL) questionnaire at baseline, week 8, and week 16. This instrument will be used to evaluate the specific impact of gastrointestinal symptoms on daily functioning and well-being.
Time frame: From baseline to +16 weeks (end of trial)
Treatment compliance
Treatment adherence will be assessed through self-report, and expressed as the proportion of prescribed doses taken during the study period. Compliance will be analyzed descriptively and explored as a potential factor influencing treatment outcomes.
Time frame: From +8 weeks to +16 weeks (end of trial)
Baseline characteristics
Baseline characteristics include medical history and demographic parameters (age, sex, weight, length, BMI). Baseline economic impact will be assessed by the Health resource utilisation (HRU) questionnaire.
Time frame: From baseline to +16 weeks (end of trial)
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