title: Gender differences in symptoms in partial responders to proton pump inhibitors for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gender differences may exist in the symptom experience of patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) who have a partial response to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to analyse gender differences in partial responders to PPIs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with GERD who responded partially to PPIs (n = 580; NCT00703534) completed the Reflux Symptom Questionnaire 7-day recall (RESQ-7) and the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS). Anxiety and depression were evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women had significantly higher RESQ-7 domain scores than men for Heartburn (frequency: 4.3 vs 3.9; intensity: 3.1 vs 2.8), Burping (frequency: 4.9 vs 4.4; intensity: 3.1 vs 2.8) and Hoarseness, cough and difficulty swallowing (frequency: 2.6 vs 2.2; intensity: 1.8 vs 1.5), and had higher GSRS domain discomfort scores than men for Abdominal pain (3.51 vs 3.23), Indigestion (3.80 vs 3.45) and Constipation (2.69 vs 2.17) (all p < 0.05). Anxiety and depression were significantly more prevalent in women than in men.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this population of partial responders, women had more frequent/intense heartburn and extra-oesophageal symptoms and more discomfort from abdominal pain, indigestion and constipation than men. Comorbid anxiety and depression may contribute to the increased symptom burden in women.
authors.affiliation: University of Wisconsin Medical School and Public Health, Madison, USA.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vakil
authors.affiliation: AstraZeneca R&D, Mölndal, Sweden.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Niklasson
authors.affiliation: AstraZeneca R&D, Mölndal, Sweden.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Denison
authors.affiliation: AstraZeneca R&D, Mölndal, Sweden.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rydén
keywords: Abdominal pain; extra-oesophageal symptoms; gastro-oesophageal reflux disease; gender differences; heartburn