Analysis of illness behavior in patients after "failed" antireflux surgery

Patients complaining of problems after antireflux surgery may have differences in illness behavior that could influence the decision to perform a revision procedure or its outcome.

A prospective comparative questionnaire survey of consecutive series of patients.

University teaching hospital.

Those undergoing esophageal pH and manometric studies from July 1, 2001, through July 1, 2004, for investigation of new or recurrent symptoms after previous antireflux surgery. There were 52 eligible patients, of whom 4 were excluded because of refusal to enter the study (n = 1) or communication difficulties (n = 3). Of the remaining 48 patients, 22 underwent revision surgery and 26 did not. These 2 groups were compared with 167 patients with primary gastroesophageal reflux disease investigated during the same period.

Self-administered, validated illness behavior questionnaire completed after informed consent was obtained.

Illness behavior categories derived from the questionnaire answers: general hypochondriasis, disease conviction, psychological vs somatic illness perception, affective inhibition, affective disturbance, denial, irritability, Whiteley index of hypochondriasis, affective state, and disease affirmation.

There were no significant differences in illness behavior category scores between the 2 groups with postoperative problems and patients with primary gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Patients with problems after antireflux surgery have an illness behavior profile similar to that in patients with primary gastroesophageal reflux disease irrespective of whether there is objective evidence of recurrent reflux disease.