GP CCE Cases · gastrointestinal-health
Dyspepsia on long-term PPI requesting a repeat script — CCE clinical encounter
CCE-style clinical encounter: a 52-year-old woman has taken omeprazole continuously for four years, wants 'her usual script', and reports new intermittent dysphagia. The candidate must apply the alarm list, plan PPI washout and H. pylori testing, and counsel honestly about rebound symptoms.
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RACGP CCEFRACGP oralsCFPC SOOs
Prompt
A 52-year-old office manager attends for her fourth consecutive omeprazole script. She has never had endoscopy or H. pylori testing; the drug was started by an after-hours clinic for heartburn. On direct questioning she mentions food occasionally 'sticking' behind the breastbone — twice this month. Her sister keeps telling her these tablets cause dementia.
Objectives
- Elicit the alarm feature (intermittent dysphagia) that converts a script renewal into an urgent endoscopy referral. [2]
- Explain why four years of unreviewed PPI without testing is under-investigation, not good care. [1]
- Plan the H. pylori test-and-treat pathway including the two-week PPI washout. [1]
- Counsel honestly about rebound acid hypersecretion so tapering does not fail on a misunderstanding. [3]
- Address the dementia fear with proportionate, evidence-based reassurance without dismissing her concern. [3]
15-minute encounter with a role-player; 5 minutes reading time. She wants a quick script and is mildly irritated by questions; your task is to surface the dysphagia she has not volunteered as urgent, restructure her management, and leave her with a plan she accepts. [2] [3]
References4ShowHide
- [1]Malfertheiner P, Megraud F, Rokkas T, et al. Management of Helicobacter pylori infection: the Maastricht VI/Florence consensus report Gut, 2022.PMID 35944925
- [2]Ford AC, Marwaha A, Lim A, et al. What is the prevalence of clinically significant endoscopic findings in subjects with dyspepsia? Updated systematic review and meta-analysis Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2023.PMID 35738355
- [3]Reimer C, Sondergaard B, Hilsted L, et al. Proton-pump inhibitor therapy induces acid-related symptoms in healthy volunteers after withdrawal of therapy Gastroenterology, 2009.PMID 19362552
- [4]Sigterman KE, van Pinxteren B, Bonis PA, et al. Short-term treatment with proton pump inhibitors, H2-receptor antagonists and prokinetics for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease-like symptoms and endoscopy negative reflux disease Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2013.PMID 23728637