Effect of symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease on quality of life of patients with chronic liver disease.
OBJECTIVE
Reflux esophagitis is becoming increasingly more prevalent in Japan. It has been noted that symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and chronic liver disease may adversely affect patients' quality of life.


METHODS
In the present study, 238 chronic liver disease patients (151 patients with chronic hepatitis and 87 patients with liver cirrhosis) were enrolled. The diagnosis of GERD was made based on the Quality-of-Life and Utility Evaluation Survey Technology questionnaire. Health-related quality of life was evaluated using the Short Forum 36 questionnaire.


RESULTS
Symptomatic GERD was present in 31.8% (48/151) of patients with chronic hepatitis and 36.8% (32/87) of patients with liver cirrhosis. Among the chronic hepatitis group, compared to the GERD-negative group, the GERD-positive group had significantly lower scores in six domains, including "rolelimitation due to physical problem", "bodily pain", "general health perception", "vitality", "role limitation due to emotional problem", and "mental health". Among the cirrhotic group, compared to the GERD-negative group, the GERD-positive group had significantly lower scores in the "role limitation due to emotional problem" domain. Significant improvement in the "physical functioning", "bodily pain", and "general health perception" domain scores was noted in chronic hepatitis patients treated with rabeprazole.


CONCLUSIONS
The QOL of chronic liver disease patients with symptomatic GERD was impaired.
Suzuki
Kazutomo
K
Department of Gastroenetrology and Hepatology, Koshigaya Hospital, Dokkyo Medical University, Saitama, Japan.
Suzuki
Kazuyoshi
K
Koizumi
Kazuhito
K
Takada
Hiroshi
H
Nishiki
Ryoichi
R
Ichimura
Hiroki
H
Oka
Shigeki
S
Kuwayama
Hajime
H