Gastroesophageal reflux: prevalence of psychopathological disorders and quality of life implications

There is evidence in the literature that psychosocial aspects affect the symptoms and results of surgery for gastroesophageal reflux. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of psychopathological disorders measured using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) in a sample of patients with gastroesophageal reflux, and to assess the influence of such disorders on their quality of life. A prospective study was conducted in 74 consecutive patients before gastroesophageal reflux surgery; patients answered the GHQ-28, the health questionnaire SF-36, and the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI). The convergent validity of the GHQ-28 questionnaire as compared to the other two questionnaires and preoperative quality of life was tested. A pathological result of the GHQ-28 questionnaire was found in 38.3% of patients. A correlation was seen between the results of the GHQ-28 questionnaire and all categories of the SF-36 and GIQLI questionnaires. Patients with pathological results in the GHQ-28 questionnaire had poorer results in all dimensions of the SF-36 and GIQLI quality of life questionnaires as compared to patients with a normal result in the GHQ-28 questionnaire. In conclusion, 38.3% of patients with gastroesophageal reflux showed psychopathological disorders when administered the GHQ-28 questionnaire. These patients also had poorer results in quality of life studies.