Impact of gastroesophageal reflux disease on the quality of life of Spanish patients: the relevance of the biometric factors and the severity of symptoms.
BACKGROUND
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has a negative impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL).


OBJECTIVE
(i) To evaluate HRQoL in the general Spanish population with GERD. (ii) To analyze the influence of biometric factors and symptoms profile on HRQoL.


METHODS
A multicenter and population-based evaluation was performed. Surveys were sent out to the general population and 335 responders (16%) fulfilled symptomatic criteria of GERD. They filled out two HRQoL questionnaires [Short Form-36 (SF-36) and Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia]. Biometric factors and symptoms profile were collected. The SF-36 physical and mental component summary scores were calculated.


RESULTS
Two hundred and fifty-two individuals (75.2%) participated. SF-36 and Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia (QoLRAD) punctuations were lower compared with the general population. Female sex, severity of symptoms, and nocturnal symptoms were associated with a greater deterioration of HRQoL. Obese participants had a negative impact on the physical component summary score, but mental component summary score was better than in participants with normal weight. Adjusted by age, punctuations of smokers, exsmokers, and nonsmokers were similar. No differences in HRQoL with regard to alcohol consumption were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
In participants who fulfill symptomatic criteria of GERD, the HRQoL is very deteriorated. The factors that worsen the QoL are being female, increase in BMI, and nocturnal symptoms.
Ponce
Julio
J
Gastroenterology Department, Hospital Univesitario La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
Beltrán
Belén
B
Ponce
Marta
M
Zapardiel
Javier
J
Ortiz
Vicente
V
Vegazo
Onofre
O
Nuevo
Javier
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013030:Spain; D055815:Young Adult