Impact of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease on work productivity despite therapy with proton pump inhibitors in Germany.
BACKGROUND
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disorder with consequences for the patient's health-related quality of life (HRQoL). In Germany, few data are available on the impact of GERD on work-related productivity.


OBJECTIVE
To study the impact of GERD on work productivity despite proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy and the association between productivity and symptom duration, severity, and HRQoL.


METHODS
Retrospective data from randomly selected patients with chronic GERD symptoms, treated by office-based general practitioners or general internists with routine clinical care, were analyzed together with information from self-administered instruments assessing work productivity (WPAI-GERD), symptoms (RDQ), and HRQoL (QOLRAD).


RESULTS
Reduced productivity was reported by 152 of 249 patients (61.0%), although 89.5% of them were treated with PPI. The reduction in work productivity was 18.5% in all patients and 30.3% in those with reduced productivity. Patients with impaired productivity showed a significantly lower HRQoL and more-severe symptoms of reflux disease. In all patients, the mean sick leave attributable to reflux symptoms was 0.6 hours in the previous seven days and 1.4 work days in the previous three months.


CONCLUSIONS
GERD has a substantial impact on work productivity in Germany, even in patients receiving routine clinical care and PPI therapy.
Gross
M
M
Internistische Klinik Dr. Müller, München, Germany. gross@muellerklinik.de
Beckenbauer
U
U
Burkowitz
J
J
Walther
H
H
Brueggenjuergen
B
B
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D004526:Efficiency; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation
D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors
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