[The gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and the general practitioner]

In Italy few data are available on which patients, coming from a self-medication experience, turn to their general practitioners (GPs) due to gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms. Aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of these patients.

Observational trial involving a large number of GPs; the GPs were expected to enroll > or = 3 consecutive adult patients with typical reflux symptoms. During the visit, a computerized network was used to collect electronic data on demographics, reflux and associated symptoms, concomitant diseases and therapies, investigations for GERD.

On 1345 patients enrolled in all (sex: 52% M; median age class: 48-52 yrs) a high prevalence of non-smokers (68%) was observed, regular use of coffee/tea or alcohol was seen in 52% and 23% of patients, respectively. At study entry, the typical reflux symptoms prevalence was 36%, 9% and 38% for heartburn, regurgitation, heartburn plus regurgitation. The 71% of patients had a previous history of reflux symptoms (duration > 3 yrs for 39% of them). No differences found in the typical reflux symptoms frequency and severity between naive and relapsed patients. An average number of 3 associated symptoms was reported. The main associated disease reported was irritable bowel syndrome (27%).

The ICEBERG study provides a picture of the main features of GERD at primary care level, on the basis of a large amount of Italian patients' data.