IMPACT ON QUALITY OF LIFE IN GERD PATIENTS USING GERD IMPACT SCALE

Background: Gastro-esophageal reflux disease is a chronic gastrointestinal condition characterized by heartburn and regurgitation caused by the reflux of gastric contents. It is a motility disorder primarily due to the transient relaxations of the lower esophageal sphincter. Material & Methods: This observational study was conducted at medical outpatient department, Civil Hospital Karachi, from April 2, 2012 to October 1, 2012. Age > 18 year, with symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation of 6 weeks to 6 months and having no history of medications for these symptoms were invited in study from OPD. Exclusion criteria were patient already taking proton pump inhibitors, gastro-intestinal malignancy and patients with known ischemic heart disease. Results: Among 217 cases, 118(54.4%) were males and 99(45.6%) females, with male to female ratio of 1.2: 1. Quality of life of patients with gastro-esophageal reflux was measured by using urdu version of GERD impact scale. Poor quality of life (score <= 2) was found in 103(47.5%) cases. Overall mean impact score on quality of life was 2.3 +/- 0.60 in GERD patients. Majority of males 63(53.4%) were experiencing poor quality of life as compared to females 40(40.4%). Patients of age <= 20 years experienced worse quality of life 37(48.7%) as compare to cases of age 21-40 years 66(47.1%). Conclusion: GERD Impact Scale can help PCPs to identify treatment needs in patients with a new GERD diagnosis, as well as identifying patients with a chronic GERD diagnosis who need more effective treatment.