title: Unmet treatment needs of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Asia: gastroesophageal reflux disease in Asia Pacific survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Data on patient satisfaction with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are scarce in Asia. The perspectives of Asian patients with GERD and their satisfaction with PPI therapy were investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  The GERD in Asia Pacific Survey (GAPS) was conducted from December 2011 to March 2012. Patients aged 21-55 years with self-reported doctor-diagnosed GERD, who had experienced symptoms in the previous 12 months, and were currently taking PPIs were enrolled. After a pilot study, a questionnaire was completed by respondents from six Asian countries during face-to-face interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 450 patients with GERD participated in the GAPS. Although the respondents generally complied with treatment, response to therapy was only partially successful. Most respondents indicated that PPIs eliminated pain (72%), took effect within 30 min (76%), provided sustained relief (73%), and provided nocturnal relief (77%). However, 45% of respondents reported limited improvement in nocturnal symptoms, and 49% continued to take adjunctive therapy to manage their symptoms. After treatment, respondent's "well-being" had improved. However, GERD still had a negative impact on well-being for 76% of respondents after treatment, compared with 94% before treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Asian patients reported a negative impact of GERD on their daily lives. Many respondents continued to experience symptoms despite reporting good compliance with PPI therapy, emphasizing the shortcomings of currently available therapy for GERD. This survey is the first to highlight Asian patients' perspectives of GERD and PPI therapy, and provides a platform for further evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Khean Lee
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Goh
authors.forename: Myung Gyu
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: William Ping I
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Hoon Jai
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Chun
authors.forename: Varocha
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mahachai
authors.forename: Udom
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kachintorn
authors.forename: Somchai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Leelakusolvong
authors.forename: Nayoung
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Abdul Aziz
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Rani
authors.forename: Benjamin Cy
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Cheng Tang
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Romeo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Vikram
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.forename: Joseph C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Bocobo
authors.forename: Melchor M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Jaw Town
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001208:Asia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010139:Pacific Islands / Q000453:epidemiology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors
keywords: Asia; abdominal pain; gastroesophageal reflux; heartburn; proton pump inhibitors