Onset and disappearance rates of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in the Spanish population, and their impact on quality of life.
BACKGROUND
few studies have reported the onset and disappearance rates of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms (GERS) in the population.


OBJECTIVE
to assess the occurrence and disappearance rates of GERS in Spain, and their impact on health-related quality of life (HRQL).


METHODS
participants were selected at random from the general population of Madrid in age and sex strata. They were interviewed at home twice, 6 months apart. Heartburn, acid regurgitation and consultation were assessed with the gastroesophageal reflux questionnaire, and HRQL with the SF-36.


RESULTS
709 individuals were included, and 451 (63.6%) were re-interviewed 6 months later. Among the 325 individuals without GERS, 9 developed weekly symptoms (2.2% [95% CI: 0.8, 3.4%]); 2 (22%) consulted because of GERS. Among the 34 subjects reporting weekly GERS initially, 26 did not report them at 6-months. Onset of GERS was associated with worsening scores in the physical summary of SF-36 (delta = -6.6 [95% CI: -11.8, -1.42]), while disappearance with an improved score (delta = -3.0 [95% CI: 0.0, 5.9]).


CONCLUSIONS
despite the lower prevalence of GERS in Spain, the occurrence rate is 2.2% in 6 months; however symptoms disappeared in more than half of subjects six months later. Developing GERS was associated with reduced HRQL, and their disappearance with improvement.
Rey
E
E
Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, CIBER of Edpidemiology and Public Helath (CIBERESP), Spain. rey.enrique.spain@gmail.com
Alvarez-Sánchez
A
A
Rodríguez-Artalejo
F
F
Moreno Elola-Olaso
C
C
Almansa
C
C
Díaz-Rubio
M
M
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012008:Recurrence; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous