Prevalence of overlaps between GERD, FD and IBS and impact on health-related quality of life.
OBJECTIVE
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), functional dyspepsia (FD), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are common, and have negative impacts on health-related quality of life (HR-QOL). Several studies demonstrated a significant overlap between two of these three diseases. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of GERD, FD, and IBS, their overlap rates, and HR-QOL for each disease and each overlap compared with healthy controls in the Japanese general population.


METHODS
We performed a cross-sectional study of Japanese workers who visited a clinic for a routine health check-up, and asked them to fill out a self-report questionnaire. Prevalence and overlap rate of GERD defined as heartburn and/or acid regurgitation at least weekly, FD and IBS based on Rome III criteria, and HR-QOL by SF-8 were examined.


RESULTS
Of the 2680 eligible subjects, 207 (7.7%) were diagnosed as having GERD, 269 (10.0%) as FD, and 381 (14.2%) as IBS. Overlaps were found in 46.9% in GERD, 47.6% in FD, and 34.4% in IBS. Prevalence of overlaps in subjects with IBS was significantly lower compared with those among GERD or FD. Sufferers from GERD, FD, or IBS reported significantly poorer HR-QOL across all domains compared with controls. Overlaps significantly worsened HR-QOL in most domains except in the 'role emotional' domain. HR-QOL was particularly poor in the physical component summary for overlapping GERD and in the mental component summary for overlapping IBS.


CONCLUSIONS
Overlaps among GERD, FD and IBS were common and worsened HR-QOL in Japanese general population.
Kaji
Makiko
M
Department of Gastroenterology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
Fujiwara
Yasuhiro
Y
Shiba
Masatsugu
M
Kohata
Yukie
Y
Yamagami
Hirokazu
H
Tanigawa
Tetsuya
T
Watanabe
Kenji
K
Watanabe
Toshio
T
Tominaga
Kazunari
K
Arakawa
Tetsuo
T
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires