title: Dynamics of quality of life improvement after floppy Nissen fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has a negative impact on global quality of life (QOL) of patients. In patients affected by GERD, laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is one of the most commonly performed laparoscopic procedures worldwide.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To prospectively analyze the dynamics of QOL as well as severity of pain in patients with GERD, before and after laparoscopic floppy Nissen fundoplication.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study involved 104 consecutive patients operated on for GERD in whom laparoscopic floppy Nissen fundoplication was performed. QOL was assessed before surgery and 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after. The following instruments were used: FACIT-G, FACIT-TS-G, GIQLI, GERD symptom scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was found that symptom relief and quality of life improvement presented different dynamics in the postoperative course. Observations revealed relief of symptoms 1 month after surgery and improvement in QOL related to the gastrointestinal tract and pain 3 months after surgery. Global QOL increased significantly as late as 12 months after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a chronic disease of long duration, leading to impairment of quality of life. Patients, apart from typical symptoms of GERD, suffer from pain of significant severity. QOL improves significantly after surgery. Surgical treatment results in relief of GERD symptoms, which leads to gradual improvement of QOL.
authors.affiliation: Department of General, Endocrine and Transplant Surgery, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: Jarek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kobiela
authors.affiliation: Department of General, Endocrine and Transplant Surgery, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: Łukasz
authors.initials: Ł
authors.lastname: Kaska
authors.affiliation: Department of General, Endocrine and Transplant Surgery, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pindel
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Institute of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: Arkadiusz
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Szarmach
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Janiak
authors.affiliation: Department of General, Endocrine and Transplant Surgery, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Proczko-Markuszewska
authors.affiliation: Department of General, Endocrine and Transplant Surgery, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stefaniak
authors.affiliation: Department of General, Endocrine and Transplant Surgery, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: Dariusz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Łaski
authors.affiliation: Department of General, Endocrine and Transplant Surgery, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Łachiński
authors.affiliation: Department of General, Endocrine and Transplant Surgery, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
authors.forename: Zbigniew
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Śledziński
keywords: Nissen fundoplication; gastroesophageal reflux disease; quality of life