title: Specific HRQL instruments and symptom scores were more responsive than preference-based generic instruments in patients with GERD.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine relative responsiveness of disease-specific and generic preference-based health-related quality of life instruments in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
  
  
  METHODS
  We compared standardized response means (SRM) of disease-specific and preference-based instruments in 217 outpatients with GERD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia and symptom scores were responsive across all domains, whereas global rating of change and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment-GERD only in single domains. The most responsive were Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia food/drink problems (SRM: 1.90, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.76-2.03) and vitality (SRM: 1.68, 95% CI 1.55-1.82) domains, Work Productivity and Activity Impairment-GERD workdays with reflux symptoms (SRM: 2.02, 95% CI 1.84-2.19), symptoms of heartburn (SRM: 1.83, 95% CI 1.69-1.96) and acid reflux (SRM: 1.48, 95% CI 1.35-1.62), and global rating of change in stomach problems (SRM: 2.19, 95% CI 2.05-2.32). The least responsive were Work Productivity and Activity Impairment-GERD domains related to hours absent at work (SRM: 0.22, 95% CI 0.05-0.38), reduced productivity at work (SRM: 0.66, 95% CI 0.48-0.83) and during other activities (SRM: 0.78, 95% CI 0.65-0.92), as well as emotional global rating of change (SRM: 0.72, 95% CI 0.58-0.85), and the standard gamble (SRM: 0.35, 95% CI 0.21-0.48), which was less responsive than the feeling thermometer (SRM: 0.92, 95% CI 0.78-1.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with GERD, disease-specific health-related quality of life instruments and symptom scores showed greater responsiveness than preference-based generic instruments. The feeling thermometer proved more responsive than the standard gamble.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, CLARITY Research Group, Italian National Cancer Institute Regina Elena, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Jan L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Brozek
authors.forename: Gordon H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Guyatt
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Heels-Ansdell
authors.forename: Alessio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Degl'Innocenti
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.forename: Carlo A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Fallone
authors.forename: Ingela
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Wiklund
authors.forename: Sander Veldhuyzen
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: van Zanten
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chiba
authors.forename: Alan N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Barkun
authors.forename: Elie A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Akl
authors.forename: Holger J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Schünemann
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002170:Canada; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D009853:Omeprazole