Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 2, 2026

The Dyspepsia Educational Tool As a Novel Aid in Dyspepsia Management
Published on: June 29, 2019
Health care seeking by heartburn sufferers is associated with psychosocial factors
B T Johnston1, J Gunning, S A Lewis
1Department of Medicine, Royal Victoria Hospital, Queen's University, Belfast, UK.
Aim:
To determine whether individuals who consult a doctor because of gastroesophageal reflux disease have psychological characteristics and social support patterns that distinguish them from those who remain within the community.
Methods:
Comparison of 138 consecutive patients presenting to a gastrointestinal clinic for the first time because of heartburn with 39 heartburn sufferers who had never sought medical help for their reflux disease and 40 healthy individuals with no heartburn. Instruments used were the State-Trait Anxiety Index, the Crown-Crisp Experiential Index, the Hassles Scale, and the Interview Schedule for Social Interaction.
Results:
Heartburn sufferers who remained within the community in no way differed from healthy controls. Patients who sought medical attention were older and their heartburn was more severe than community heartburn sufferers. When these variables were controlled for in the analysis, patients experienced greater phobia, obsessionality, and somatization, more hassles but of significantly lower intensity, and had less-adequate close social support than those who did not seek medical help.
Conclusion:
Psychological and social factors are associated with individuals with gastroesophageal reflux disease who seek medical help.
Related Concept Videos
Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System II: Health Perception Pattern
Health Perception Patterns
Health perception patterns offer valuable insights into a patient's lifestyle habits and how they may impact their GI health. These patterns include:
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease II: Clinical Features and Management
Clinical Manifestations
GERD presents itself in a multitude of ways, with symptoms varying from person to person. The hallmark symptoms are...
Peptic Ulcer Disease IV: Management
The therapeutic approach involves ensuring adequate rest, implementing drug therapy, promoting smoking cessation, making dietary modifications, and emphasizing long-term follow-up care.
Pharmacological management
The prevailing therapy for peptic ulcers involves a combination of managing the patient's current medication...
Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Peptic Ulcer Disease III: Clinical Manifestations and Complications
