title: Lifestyle changes as a treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease: a survey of general practitioners in North Queensland, Australia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disorder in developed countries, with the usual treatment being medication. Previously, lifestyle modification was the only treatment for GERD; however, its effectiveness has not been assessed.
  
  
  METHODS
  All practicing general practitioner (GP) members of two Divisions of General Practice (n = 193) in North Queensland, Australia, were surveyed in 2001 using a postal questionnaire to determine their views and practices relating to such treatment among adults with GERD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 70.5%. Of those who responded, 17.6% recommended diet and postural advice as a first line of treatment, with postural advice (89.7%), avoid known precipitants (86.0%), reduce weight if overweight (79.4%), eat a low fat diet (45.6%), and stop smoking (17.6%) being the most common recommendations. Of the nine possible changes, the median number recommended was 3, interquartile range (IQR; 3, 4). Eighty-nine percent of GPs thought >/= 10% of patients with GERD would benefit from lifestyle changes, but almost half thought </= 10% of patients would be prepared to change.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most GPs thought lifestyle changes would be beneficial when treating GERD, but did not believe their patients would change. Most GPs recommended fewer than half the lifestyle changes their peers believed effective in treating GERD.
authors: Madeleine
authors: M
authors: Nowak
authors: Petra
authors: P
authors: Büttner
authors: Beverly
authors: B
authors: Raasch
authors: Kym
authors: K
authors: Daniell
authors: Cindy
authors: C
authors: McCutchan
authors: Simone
authors: S
authors: Harrison