The effect of treating reflux oesophagitis with omeprazole on quality of life.
OBJECTIVE
Despite the commonplace nature of heartburn and reflux oesophagitis, little is known of their impact on patients' quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess quality of life in oesophagitis patients before and after medical therapy and compare the results with a sample of the general population.


METHODS
Consecutive attenders with frequent heartburn and grade II-III oesophagitis on endoscopy were recruited from one of two centres and treated with omeprazole 20 mg BD for 8-14 weeks. A symptomatic questionnaire, including the Short Form-36 (SF-36) quality of life questionnaire, was completed before and at the end of treatment. Actual quality of life scores were compared with 'expected' scores derived from a sample (n = 3015) of the Northern Ireland population.


RESULTS
Seventy two (83%) of the 87 patients recruited were healed after 14 weeks therapy and 77 completed the SF-36 before and after therapy. Three quality of life parameters (bodily pain, vitality and social function) were significantly lower before treatment than the 'expected' scores. Seven of the quality of life parameters measured by the SF-36 showed a significant improvement after treatment and the eighth (mental health) just failed to achieve a significant improvement (P = 0.06). Comparison of the improvements in SF-36 scores for those who were healed with scores for those who were not healed showed no significant difference.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with grade II-III oesophagitis and frequent heartburn have lower quality of life scores for some parameters than would be expected in the general population. Treatment of the oesophagitis with omeprazole 20 mg BD causes a significant improvement not just in reflux symptoms but in several physical and mental aspects of quality of life regardless of whether or not the oesophagitis is healed.
McDougall
N I
NI
Department of Medicine, The Queen's University of Belfast, UK. n.mcdougall@qub.ac.uk
Collins
J S
JS
McFarland
R J
RJ
Watson
R G
RG
Love
A H
AH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004942:Esophagitis, Peptic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D009853:Omeprazole