Health-related quality of life in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease under routine care: 5-year follow-up results of the ProGERD study.
BACKGROUND
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disorder associated with substantial reductions in health-related quality of life (HRQL).


OBJECTIVE
To describe patterns of change in HRQL during 5 years of follow-up in a large population of GERD patients.


METHODS
In 2000, a total of 6215 GERD patients were enrolled in the Progression of GERD (ProGERD) study. During follow-up, patients received any medication considered necessary. HRQL was assessed yearly with the Short-Form 36 and the Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia (QOLRAD) questionnaires. Associations between patient characteristics and changes in HRQL were analysed using multiple logistic regression models.


RESULTS
After 5 years, data on HRQL were available for 4597 (74%) patients. Both generic and disease-specific HRQL improved after baseline and remained well above baseline levels in the following years. A clinically relevant decrease in QOLRAD scores was reported by 3-5% of patients. According to our multivariate analysis, a decrease in HRQL was associated with a higher reflux symptom load and the presence of night-time heartburn.


CONCLUSIONS
Only a small minority of the ProGERD population reported a clinically relevant decrease in HRQL, which was associated most strongly with nocturnal heartburn.
Nocon
M
M
Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité University Medical Center, 10098 Berlin, Germany. marc.nocon@charite.de
Labenz
J
J
Jaspersen
D
D
Leodolter
A
A
Richter
K
K
Vieth
M
M
Lind
T
T
Malfertheiner
P
P
Willich
S N
SN
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents