Use of antisecretory agents as a trial of therapy.

Dyspepsia is a common clinical condition, and its diagnostic evaluation and treatment result in the expenditure of enormous healthcare resources each year. Studies indicate that the omeprazole test is the most sensitive and cost effective test for diagnosing gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) in patients with extra-oesophageal or more "classic" symptoms suggestive of GORD. Studies also indicate that a therapeutic trial of omeprazole in patients with dyspepsia results in greater symptom improvement and lower costs than treatment with less potent acid suppression.