Prospective Acid Reflux Study of Iran (PARSI): methodology and study design.
BACKGROUND
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common and chronic disorder but long term, prospective studies of the fate of patients seeking medical advice are scarce. This is especially prominent when looking at non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) patients.


METHODS
We designed a prospective cohort to assess the long term outcome of GERD patients referring to gastroenterologists. Consecutive consenting patients, 15 years of age and older, presenting with symptoms suggestive of GERD referring to our outpatient clinics undergo a 30 minute interview. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is performed for them with protocol biopsies and blood samples are drawn. Patients are then treated according to a set protocol and followed regularly either in person or by telephone for at least 10 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data show that such a study is feasible and follow-ups, which are the main concern, can be done in a fairly reliable way to collect data. The results of this study will help to clarify the course of various subgroups of GERD patients after coming to medical attention and their response to treatment considering different variables. In addition, the basic symptoms and biological database will fuel further molecular epidemiologic studies.
Nasseri-Moghaddam
Siavosh
S
Digestive Disease Research Center (DDRC), Shariati Hospital, Medical Sciences/University of Tehran, North Kargar Ave., Tehran, Iran. sianm@ams.ac.ir
Razjouyan
Hadi
H
Alimohamadi
Seyed Maysam
SM
Mamarabadi
Mansoureh
M
Ghotbi
Mohamad-Hamed
MH
Mostajabi
Pardis
P
Sohrabpour
Amir-Ali
AA
Sotoudeh
Masoud
M
Abedi
Behnoush
B
Mofid
Azadeh
A
Nouraie
Mehdi
M
Tofangchiha
Shahnaz
S
Malekzadeh
Reza
R
D001706:Biopsy; D015897:Comorbidity; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000473:pathology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000473:pathology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D005773:Gastroscopy; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009853:Omeprazole