The relationship between the prevalence of nighttime gastroesophageal reflux disease and disease severity.
BACKGROUND
Nighttime gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) prevalence and severity estimates vary substantially across studies.


METHODS
We assessed nighttime GERD (NTG) prevalence and symptom frequency and severity through a web survey of US adults, using the GERD Symptom and Medication Questionnaire (GERD-SMQ), a validated symptom questionnaire. NTG was based on episodes of nighttime heartburn per week and time of occurrence. Symptom severity and impact were assessed and compared for GERD cases with and without NTG.


RESULTS
GERD prevalence among respondents (n = 2,603) was 27%. Forty-five percent of symptomatic GERD respondents had NTG. Among respondents with both daytime and nighttime symptoms, 51% reported that nighttime symptoms were more bothersome. NTG respondents reported greater disease severity compared with those without (P < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
NTG symptoms are very common among those identified with GERD. People with nighttime symptoms have greater disease severity than those with exclusively or primarily daytime symptoms.
Dean
Bonnie B
BB
Cerner LifeSciences, 9100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 655 East Tower, Beverly Hills, CA, 90212, USA. bdean@cerner.com
Aguilar
Daniel
D
Johnson
Lawrence F
LF
Fass
Ronnie
R
Orr
William C
WC
McGuigan
James E
JE
Calimlim
Brian
B
Yan
Ning
N
Morgenstern
Diana
D
Dubois
Robert W
RW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006356:Heartburn / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
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