The demographic characteristics and health-related quality of life in a large cohort of reflux esophagitis patients in Japan with reference to the effect of lansoprazole: the REQUEST study.
BACKGROUND
Patients with reflux esophagitis (RE) in Western countries have impaired health-related quality of life (HRQOL). However, few data are available concerning HRQOL in Asian patients with RE.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the demographic characteristics, HRQOL, and the impact of lansoprazole treatment in a large cohort of RE patients in Japan.


METHODS
Patients with RE were enrolled. Lansoprazole was administered for 8 weeks and HRQOL assessed using the SF-8 and a newly developed questionnaire for RE-specific HRQOL (RESQ) at baseline and after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment.


RESULTS
Among enrolled patients, 2320 patients with the Los Angeles classification grade A to D esophagitis at enrollment to the study were analyzed. A higher proportion of older women was observed (in the group of patients aged >or=60 years, 61.3% were women). Prevalence of obesity was 4.7%. At baseline, HRQOL scores of RE patients were well below the mean for the Japanese general population in all domains of the SF-8. After 8 weeks of treatment with lansoprazole, these scores significantly improved to the levels of the general population (P < 0.01). Scores of RESQ also significantly improved (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Demographically, RE patients in Japan differ from those in Western countries with an increased proportion in older women and lower prevalence of obesity. RE has a marked negative impact on HRQOL, which is significantly improved by treatment with lansoprazole.
Hongo
Michio
M
Department of Comprehensive Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital, Aoba, Sendai, Japan.
Kinoshita
Yoshikazu
Y
Miwa
Hiroto
H
Ashida
Kiyoshi
K
D053799:2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004942:Esophagitis, Peptic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D064747:Lansoprazole; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors
D053799:2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D064747:Lansoprazole