Relationship between symptoms, subjective well-being and medication use in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

To report data from a multinational survey investigating the relationship between gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms, treatment and subjective well-being.

Patients formally diagnosed with GERD (n=929) and undiagnosed subjects with symptoms suggestive of GERD (n=924) were included.

Sixty per cent of diagnosed (mean age: 51.7 years) and 54% of undiagnosed (mean age: 44.3 years) participants were female. Over 50% of participants were overweight or obese. Most respondents consumed alcohol, and one-third were smokers. In total, 78% of diagnosed subjects were currently receiving medication prescribed by their doctor, and 65% were taking over-the-counter (OTC) treatments. The majority (97%) of undiagnosed subjects were taking OTC medication, the most common of which were antacids (78%). Despite medication, 58% of diagnosed and 73% of undiagnosed subjects still experienced GERD symptoms some of the time. Approximately one-third of subjects in each group reported that they ate less than usual, felt generally unwell, were tired/worn out or worried/fearful for the majority of the time because of their GERD symptoms, and around half reported decreased well-being, including reduced work or leisure time productivity.

These findings attest to the severity and impact of GERD symptoms, highlighting the need to improve the management of GERD in routine practice. Many symptomatic and long-term sufferers, for example, may benefit from taking steps towards a healthier lifestyle (e.g. weight reduction) in addition to optimisation of acid-suppressive therapy.