TY - JOUR
T1 - Perceptions and beliefs concerning gastroesophageal reflux disease
T2 - Physicians and patients disagree
AU - Reimer, Christina
AU - Bytzer, Peter
PY - 2007/12/1
Y1 - 2007/12/1
N2 - Background/Aim: There is insufficient evidence to support an association between lifestyle and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Furthermore, perceptions concerning the impact of GERD on lifestyle are largely unknown. We aimed at investigating physicians' perceptions about GERD and lifestyle and at evaluating physician-patient agreement concerning the impact of GERD on the quality of life. Methods: A questionnaire was mailed to all Danish primary care physicians (n = 3,603, response rate 36%) and to all Danish gastroenterologists (n = 624, response rate 50%). Another questionnaire was completed by 176 GERD patients on medical therapy (84% on proton pump inhibitors). Results: 35% of the physicians believe GERD is predominantly caused by lifestyle and 51% always recommend lifestyle modifications. According to the physicians, the three most frequently affected aspects of quality of life were sleep disturbances (24%), limitations in physical activities (22%) and tiredness (18%). However, according to the patients, the three most frequently reported aspects were dietary restrictions (63%), tiredness/lack of energy (49%) and health concerns (44%). 70% of the physicians considered complete absence of symptoms as a useful goal for therapy. 72% of the patients reported recent symptoms, despite therapy and self-imposed lifestyle restrictions. Conclusions: Physicians and GERD patients disagree on impairments of quality of life. Many patients reported frequent symptoms despite therapy and self-imposed lifestyle restrictions.
AB - Background/Aim: There is insufficient evidence to support an association between lifestyle and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Furthermore, perceptions concerning the impact of GERD on lifestyle are largely unknown. We aimed at investigating physicians' perceptions about GERD and lifestyle and at evaluating physician-patient agreement concerning the impact of GERD on the quality of life. Methods: A questionnaire was mailed to all Danish primary care physicians (n = 3,603, response rate 36%) and to all Danish gastroenterologists (n = 624, response rate 50%). Another questionnaire was completed by 176 GERD patients on medical therapy (84% on proton pump inhibitors). Results: 35% of the physicians believe GERD is predominantly caused by lifestyle and 51% always recommend lifestyle modifications. According to the physicians, the three most frequently affected aspects of quality of life were sleep disturbances (24%), limitations in physical activities (22%) and tiredness (18%). However, according to the patients, the three most frequently reported aspects were dietary restrictions (63%), tiredness/lack of energy (49%) and health concerns (44%). 70% of the physicians considered complete absence of symptoms as a useful goal for therapy. 72% of the patients reported recent symptoms, despite therapy and self-imposed lifestyle restrictions. Conclusions: Physicians and GERD patients disagree on impairments of quality of life. Many patients reported frequent symptoms despite therapy and self-imposed lifestyle restrictions.
KW - Esophagitis
KW - Esophagus
KW - Gastroesophageal reflux disease
KW - Gastrointestinal symptoms
KW - Health-related quality of life, reflux disease
KW - Proton pump inhibitors
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=40449110024&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1159/000112650
DO - 10.1159/000112650
M3 - Article
C2 - 18097144
AN - SCOPUS:40449110024
VL - 76
SP - 229
EP - 234
JO - Digestion
JF - Digestion
SN - 0012-2823
IS - 3-4
ER -