Quality of life: a reflection of symptoms and concerns

Improvement of reflux symptom related quality of life after Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy

The relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication therapy and the risk of developing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is controversial. We investigated the influence of H. pylori eradication on the risk of GERD by focusing on the quality of life (QOL) and evaluating reflux symptoms. Patients with H. pylori infection were administered triple therapy for H. pylori eradication. At 3 months and 1 year after the eradication therapy, surveys were conducted to determine the health-related QOL by quality of life in reflux and dyspepsia-Japanese version, (QOLRAD-J) and the severity of GERD symptoms by Carlsson-Dent questionnaire (CDQ). Forty patients were included in the analysis. Although no significant changes of these scores were apparent 3 months after H. pylori eradication, the QOLRAD-J and CDQ scores were significantly improved after 1 year. The degree of improvement was even more marked in cases with initially low scores. In conclusion, improved GERD-related QOL and reflux symptoms were noted 1 year after H. pylori eradication therapy. In addition, the degree of improvement was more marked in cases with severe reflux symptoms.

The usefulness of the original questionnaire in the evaluation of quality of life in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) constitutes a significant health problem in societies of high socioeconomic status. The notion of quality of life is broader than the definition of health and encompasses two aspects: the subjective and objective one. The tools used for the evaluation of quality of life are questionnaires. The aim of the study was the evaluation of the original quality of life questionnaire in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease treated for 4 weeks with a single dose of omeprazole at 20 mg daily.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The original quality of life questionnaire was formulated based on the Likert method. Four time levels of complaint persistence were introduced. The patients were asked 10 questions with earlier prepared answers marked by the respondents. Each of the questions corresponded to a certain time level of complaint persistence. The data obtained from the questionnaires were subject to statistical analysis. The studies were conducted on a group of 10,623 patients. Adequate methods were used in the statistical analysis of data from obtained answers. The significance threshold for each of the studies was p < 0.01, which means that the obtained conclusions are true with the probability of at least 99%. The majority of statistical calculations were performed with the use of STATISTICA 7.0 and Excel software.

RESULTS

Improvement of quality of life was found in all the studied aspects: physical (questions 1, 3, 4, 5, 7), functional (question 6), emotional (questions 2, 10) and social (questions 8, 9). No correlation with age or gender was found. The analysis of test correctness was conducted, revealing reliability, validity, sensitivity, appropriateness and practicality of the questionnaire.

CONCLUSIONS

1. The original quality of life questionnaire meets the requirements for the tools evaluating quality of life in gastroesophageal reflux disease. 2. The usefulness of questionnaire was confirmed in a group of 10,623 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease in the Polish population. 3. The questionnaire equals the international tests, while its advantages are the ease of completion and high level of perception.

Improvement in health-related quality of life after therapy with omeprazole in patients with coronary artery disease and recurrent angina-like chest pain. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the SF-36 survey

Background

Many patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) have overlapping gastroenterological causes of recurrent chest pain, mainly due to gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and aspirin-induced gastrointestinal tract damage. These symptoms can be alleviated by proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). The study addressed whether omeprazole treatment also affects general health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with CAD.

Study

48 patients with more than 50% narrowing of the coronary arteries on angiography without clinically overt gastrointestinal symptoms were studied. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study design, patients were randomized to take omeprazole 20 mg bid or a placebo for two weeks, and then crossed over to the other study arm. The SF-36 questionnaire was completed before treatment and again after two weeks of therapy.

Results

Patients treated with omeprazole in comparison to the subjects taking the placebo had significantly greater values for the SF-36 survey (which relates to both physical and mental health), as well as for bodily pain, general health perception, and physical health. In comparison to the baseline values, therapy with omeprazole led to a significant increase in the three summarized health components: total SF-36; physical and mental health; and in the following detailed health concept scores: physical functioning, limitations due to physical health problems, bodily pain and emotional well-being.

Conclusions

A double dose of omeprazole improved the general HRQL in patients with CAD without severe gastrointestinal symptoms more effectively than the placebo.

Effects of omeprazole on symptoms and quality of life in Japanese patients with reflux esophagitis: final results of OMAREE, a large-scale clinical experience investigation

Background

For patients with reflux esophagitis (RE), endoscopic findings alone (without the frequency and severity of symptoms) may not fully reflect the associated impact on health-related quality of life (QOL). There is not enough data about symptoms and QOL of Japanese patients with RE. The present study therefore investigated the epidemiological characteristics of such patients, and evaluated the efficacy and safety of omeprazole (and other gastrointestinal drugs, except proton pump inhibitors [PPIs]) in terms of improving patients' symptoms and QOL.

Methods

In a large-scale, specific clinical experience investigation of Japanese patients with RE, epidemiological characteristics, QOL and symptoms of the disease in relation to treatment with omeprazole and other gastrointestinal drugs, except PPIs, and safety data of omeprazole were collected. The Quality Of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia questionnaire (QOLRAD) was used for QOL assessment.

Results

9967 patients were included in the analysis (omeprazole: 7888). At baseline, 75.2% of patients had three or more upper gastrointestinal symptoms, and 31.5% of patients had six or more upper gastrointestinal symptoms. The overall mean QOLRAD score at baseline was 5.14 (the best score is 7). In the omeprazole group, the rate of satisfactory improvement in subjective symptoms was 61.7% and 81.8% at Weeks 4 and 8, respectively, and these were both significantly higher than those of patients treated with other drugs. In both the omeprazole group and the other drugs group, the QOLRAD score at Week 4 improved significantly from baseline, and the degree of improvement was significantly greater in the omeprazole group than in the other drugs group. The favourable tolerability profile of omeprazole was confirmed.

Conclusion

In a large-scale survey, omeprazole improved symptoms and QOL more effectively in Japanese patients with RE than other investigated drugs, and had a good tolerability profile.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00859287.

Outcome of nonerosive gastro-esophageal reflux disease patients with pathological acid exposure

AIM: To assess the management and outcome of nonerosive gastro-esophageal reflux disease (NERD) patients who were identified retrospectively, after a 5-year follow-up.

METHODS: We included patients with gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms who had a negative endoscopy result and pathological 24-h esophageal pH-monitoring while off therapy. We interviewed them after an average period of 5 years (range 3.5-7 years) by means of a structured questionnaire to assess presence of GERD symptoms, related therapy, updated endoscopic data and other features. We assessed predictors of esophagitis development by means of univariate and multivariate statistical analysis.

RESULTS: 260 patients (137 women) were included. Predominant GERD symptoms were heartburn and regurgitation in 103/260 (40%). 70% received a maintenance treatment, which was proton pump inhibitor (PPI) in 55% of cases. An average number of 1.5 symptomatic relapses per patient/year of follow-up were observed. A progression to erosive gastro-esophageal reflux disease (ERD) was found in 58/193 (30.0%) of patients undergoing repeat endoscopy; 72% of these were Los Angeles grade A-B.

CONCLUSION: This study shows that progression to ERD occurs in about 5% of NERD cases per year, despite therapy. Only two factors consistently and independently influence progression: smoking and absence of PPI therapy.

Hangekobokuto (Banxia-houpo-tang), a Kampo Medicine that Treats Functional Dyspepsia

Although abdominal bloating is one of the most bothersome symptoms experienced by patients with functional dyspepsia (FD), therapeutic drugs to relieve abdominal bloating have not been established. We investigated the Kampo (Chinese herbal) medicine, Hangekobokuto (Banxia-houpo-tang, HKT) for patients with FD from the standpoint of bowel gas retention. The bowel gas volume calculated from a plain abdominal radiogram (gas volume score, GVS) in FD patients was significantly higher than that in healthy subjects. Two week administration of HKT in the FD patients showed a significant decrease of GVS. Furthermore, gastrointestinal symptoms, especially symptoms of abdominal pain, indigestion and constipation, all of which are closely related to abdominal bloating, improved significantly in FD patients after the administration of HKT. These results suggest that HKT improves abdominal bloating accompanied by the reduction of bowel gas in FD patients.

Heterogeneity of endoscopy negative heartburn: Epidemiology and natural history

It has now become clear that only about 40% or less of patients with heartburn and/or regurgitation have esophagitis, and that the majority of them lack visible distal esophageal mucosa breaks. These subjects are referred to as non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (NERD) patients. It has been estimated that in the Western world at least one tenth of the general population has at least weekly heartburn. This proportion seems to be lower in Asia, while prevalence is rapidly increasing. Although it would be extremely useful to have prospective information regarding the fate of such patients, the natural history of NERD is largely unknown, and very few studies in the literature have addressed this issue. These studies are for the greater part old, not well conducted, and suffer from methodological drawbacks including ill-defined entry criteria. However, a review of these studies indicates that a consistent minority of NERD patients may develop erosive disease at an approximate rate of about 10% per year.

Patient education in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is chronic, affects 8-20% of the population, impairs quality of life (QoL) and generates substantial health-related costs. Patient education is intended to improve patients' disease-related competency, potentially enabling them to deal more efficiently with their disease, eventually improving QoL and reducing healthcare cost. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a group-based education programme for patients with mild GORD.

METHODS

Patients with GORD were randomly allocated to education (n=102) or control (n=109). The education programme was designed as a structured dialogue conveying medical information about the pathophysiology and prognosis, pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment of GORD, patients' rights and use of healthcare. Outcomes were measured using general QoL [General Health Questionnaire-30 (GHQ-30)], disease-specific QoL [Digestive Symptoms and Impact Questionnaire (DSIQ)], global QoL and healthcare use at 2 and 12 months after the educational programme.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences were found in GHQ-30, DSIQ or global QoL at 2 or 12 months' follow-up between the GORD-education group and controls. In the GORD-education group, patients who had completed primary school education only showed improved QoL at 12 months on both GHQ and DSIQ, whereas patients who had completed advanced schooling showed no change. No difference was found between the groups in their use of healthcare.

CONCLUSION

A group-based education programme for patients with mild GORD showed no effect on QoL or use of healthcare. Subgroup analyses showed improved QoL only in patients with primary school education, who had been allocated to GORD education.

Pantoprazole on-demand effectively treats symptoms in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

OBJECTIVE

The efficacy of pantoprazole as on-demand therapy for the long-term management of patients with mild gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) has been demonstrated in clinical studies. In this study, the efficacy of pantoprazole 20mg and esomeprazole 20mg as on-demand therapy for relief of symptoms of mild GORD was compared.

METHODS

Patients with reflux oesophagitis grade A or B (Los Angeles classification) or endoscopy-negative reflux disease (enGORD) were treated with pantoprazole 20mg once daily for 28 days during the acute phase (AP, n = 236). Patients without heartburn during the final 3 days of the AP entered the long-term phase (LTP, n = 199) and were randomised to either pantoprazole 20mg or esomeprazole 20mg as on-demand treatment for 6 months. Antacids were provided as rescue medication during this phase. The mean intensities of the symptoms of heartburn, acid eructation and pain on swallowing, both separately and as a combined symptom score, together with the mean duration of these symptoms during on-demand treatment, were compared between the two treatment groups. The number of tablets taken was also compared.

RESULTS

After 4 weeks of treatment with pantoprazole, 87.3% of patients had relief from heartburn, 74.1% from epigastric pain and 80.8% from acid eructation, according to the investigator assessment. A total of 236 patients were eligible for the on-demand phase. Based on patient diary data, on-demand treatment with pantoprazole resulted in significantly lower mean intensity of heartburn compared with that in the esomeprazole group (1.12 for pantoprazole and 1.32 for esomeprazole, respectively [p = 0.012], in the intention-to-treat [ITT] population). The mean symptom intensities of acid eructation and pain on swallowing, together with the duration of these symptoms, were comparable in the two treatment groups. The combined symptom score of the three symptoms heartburn, acid eructation and pain on swallowing was numerically lower in the pantoprazole group compared with the esomeprazole group (1.72 vs 1.99, respectively, in the ITT population). Tablet intake was comparable in both groups. Relief of symptoms in Helicobacter pylori-positive and -negative patients was also similar in both treatment groups. Both treatments were well tolerated with a good safety profile.

CONCLUSION

On-demand therapy with either pantoprazole 20mg or esomeprazole 20mg is a comparably effective treatment strategy for the long-term treatment of non-erosive and mild GORD. However, the mean intensity of heartburn was significantly lower with pantoprazole treatment.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease and physical activity

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common disorders in the general population. In recent years, a marked increase in the occurrence of the disease worldwide has been noted. Intense exercise belongs to factors that are known to exacerbate symptoms of GERD. Episodes of reflux seem to be associated with the length and the intensity of the physical activity undertaken. Experimental studies suggest that the gastroesophageal reflux may be increased in athletes due to: decreased gastrointestinal blood flow; alterations of hormone secretion; changes in the motor function of the oesophagus and the ventricle; and the constrained body position during exercise. Disturbances of the balance between two areas of opposite pressure: intra-abdominal and intrathoracic, have also been proven to influence GERD events. GERD is found in sportspeople of various disciplines, but specific types of exercise may have significantly different impacts on the gastroesophageal reflux.Basic prevention of GERD comprise lifestyle and dietary interventions. Adjustments of the exercise load and avoiding meals and drinks about the time of physical effort may ease the symptoms. Unfortunately, in most patients, pharmacological measures are necessary. These include occasional application of antacids and blockers of histamine H2 receptors in mild forms of the disease, and a regular therapy with proton pump inhibitors (PPI) in the majority of other cases. An average dose of PPI varies from 20 to 40 mg/day and should be continued for 4-8 weeks. Unfortunately, symptoms of GERD frequently return and in these situations long-term acid suppression with PPI is usually necessary. As regular physical activity exerts beneficial health effects, the necessity of establishing associations between moderate, recreational exercise and GERD is needed.

Psychological factors as a predictor of treatment response in patients with heartburn: a pooled analysis of clinical trials

OBJECTIVE

A pooled analysis, using data from three prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical studies, was undertaken to determine the relationship between well-being and subsequent clinical response to acid suppressant therapy in 1887 adult patients with reflux symptoms (with/without endoscopically verified erosive esophagitis).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Well-being was assessed at study entry using the Psychological General Well-Being (PGWB) Index. Patients were assessed for complete relief of heartburn (absence of symptoms in the preceding 7 days) after 4 weeks' treatment (omeprazole 10 or 20 mg once daily; ranitidine 150 mg twice daily).

RESULTS

Multiple logistic regression analysis identified baseline PGWB Index total score and anxiety score as independent prognostic indicators of treatment response in endoscopy-positive patients (n=1333). Thus, the likelihood of achieving complete heartburn relief was impaired by high baseline levels of anxiety or a low total well-being score. In the endoscopy-negative group, high levels of depression and low vitality scores affected treatment response adversely. Furthermore, age (for endoscopy-positive patients only) and body mass index (for endoscopy-negative patients only) showed an association with treatment outcome. Gender seemed to have no prognostic value on treatment outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient well-being may be a useful prognostic indicator in patients presenting with reflux symptoms, with a high level of anxiety predicating against a response to acid suppressant therapy, particularly in those with normal endoscopic findings.

Prokinetic effect of a Kampo medicine, Hange-koboku-to (Banxia-houpo-tang), on patients with functional dyspepsia

Limited evidence is available as to whether Kampo medicine modifies gastrointestinal function in humans. We investigated the effect of a Kampo medicine, Hange-koboku-to (Banxia-houpo-tang, HKT), on patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) and on healthy volunteers with regard to gastric motility. The gastric emptying rate (GER) in FD patients was significantly lower than in the healthy subjects. GER in FD patients and in healthy volunteers showed a significant increase after 2 weeks of medication with HKT. Furthermore, gastrointestinal symptoms improved significantly in the FD patients after the administration of HKT. These results suggest that HKT improves delayed gastric emptying and acts as a prokinetic agent.

Treatment of patients with heartburn without endoscopic evaluation: on-demand treatment after effective continuous administration of lansoprazole 15 mg

BACKGROUND

Relapse is frequent after initial treatment for gastro-oesophageal reflux. An alternative strategy to intermittent or continuous therapy may be on-demand treatment.

AIM

To compare the efficacy and safety of on-demand lansoprazole 15 mg and placebo treatment in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux.

METHODS

This was a multicentre, randomized, double-blind study in two parallel groups of patients. In the acute study phase, all included patients (n = 203) were treated with lansoprazole 15 mg (once per day) for 4 weeks. At week 4, asymptomatic patients entered the 6-month, on-demand, follow-up phase and were randomized to receive either lansoprazole 15 mg (once per day) or placebo.

RESULTS

A higher percentage of patients in the lansoprazole group completed the 6-month follow-up than in the placebo group [81% vs. 61% (P = 0.003)]. Only 16% of patients in the lansoprazole group discontinued the study for insufficient control of heartburn vs. 28% in the placebo group (P = 0.046). The mean daily intake in patients who completed the study was 1-5 capsules/day in the lansoprazole 15 mg group.

CONCLUSIONS

On-demand treatment with lansoprazole 15 mg in symptomatic patients after short-term, continuous treatment is a promising therapeutic alternative to intermittent and continuous treatment to maintain heartburn control in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux.

Prevalence, risk factors and impact of gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms: a population-based study in South China

OBJECTIVE

There are few data on the epidemiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in South China. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of GERD symptoms in South China and to evaluate the impact on health-related quality of life.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A face-to-face interview was carried out in South China using a validated Chinese version of the Reflux Disease Questionnaire to assess the prevalence of GERD symptoms. A randomly clustered sampling of permanent inhabitants aged 18 to 90 years was carried out under stratification of urban and suburban areas. The impact of GERD symptoms on health-related quality of life was evaluated using the Chinese version of SF-36.

RESULTS

A total of 3338 residents (1468 M, 1870 F) were investigated. Mean age of the responders was 42.6 +/- 16.4 years; response rate was 95%. The prevalence of heartburn and/or acid eructation occurring at least weekly was 6.2%. The age- and gender-adjusted point prevalence of GERD symptoms in South China is 2.3% (95% CI, 1.8%, 2.8%) according to the definition in this study. There was no difference in prevalence between male (2.6%) and female (2.4%) subjects and there was no significant association between age and prevalence of GERD symptoms. Divorced/widowed/separated subjects (OR 4.61; 95% CI, 2.15%, 9.89%) and subjects with a heavy burden of work (OR 3.43, 95% CI, 1.72%, 6.84%) were significantly more likely to report GERD symptoms. As compared with the general population, subjects with GERD symptoms experienced considerable impairment in quality of life.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of GERD symptoms in South China was much lower than that reported in Western countries. GERD had a negative impact on quality of life.

Primary care in the treatment of functional gastrointestinal symptoms in Japan: prescription preferences and impression of results

BACKGROUND

Functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are common in primary care. However, proper pharmacological approaches have not yet been established. The reason for a lack of proper approaches may be attributable to the lack in clarity of their pathogenesis and pathophysiology. Meta-analysis of pharmacological approaches to functional GI disorders failed to identify the solid cluster of patients' symptoms.

AIM

The aim of this study is to assess the perspective of primary care doctors concerning prescriptions for functional GI symptoms, evaluate the efficacy of the drugs prescribed, and the need for medication for these symptoms.

METHOD

Questionnaires were sent to primary care doctors, and a total of 149 responses were obtained. Efficacy of each medication was evaluated by the number of doctors favouring the category, and the respective impressions of prescriptions given.

RESULTS

Symptoms of heartburn were well controlled by anti-secretory drugs (H2RAs and PPIs), while appetite loss and abdominal gurgling were not controlled by any medications.

CONCLUSIONS

This survey reveals differences in need for various prescription drugs in functional GI symptoms.

Symptom-based outcome measures for dyspepsia and GERD trials: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Symptom assessment using questionnaires has been recommended as the primary outcome measure in clinical gastroesophageal reflux and dyspepsia trials. Questionnaires should have proven reliability, validity, and responsiveness, and may assess the frequency and/or severity of dyspepsia symptoms. Although a number of measures have been developed, it remains unclear which of these should be used in new trials.

OBJECTIVE

To describe existing questionnaire outcome measures that assess symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux dyspepsia for use in clinical trials.

METHODS

Studies were identified from Medline, Embase, the Cochrane library, and reference lists. The inclusion criterion was that the study assessed a questionnaire, which measured the frequency or severity of dyspepsia or gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, in a sample of patients.

RESULTS

No direct comparison between questionnaires was possible due to methodological heterogeneity. Thirty-seven studies describing 26 questionnaires met the inclusion criteria. Twelve were unidimensional (assessed symptoms only) and 14 were multidimensional (also assessed quality of life). Eleven questionnaires assessed both frequency and severity of dyspepsia, and 10 had proven reliability, validity, and responsiveness. No studies compared different questionnaires.

CONCLUSIONS

Future gastroesophageal reflux and dyspepsia clinical trials should use unidimensional or multidimensional outcome measures that assess both the frequency and severity of symptoms, and have proven reliability, validity, and responsiveness. Further research is necessary to compare existing outcome measures to determine which are the most reliable, valid, and responsive instruments.

Health-related quality of life of patients with gastrointestinal symptoms

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the variation in health-related quality of life among patients with different presentations of gastrointestinal symptoms.

AIM

To study the association between health-related quality of life and presentations of gastrointestinal symptoms.

METHODS

Health-related quality of life and demographic information was obtained from 873 patients referred to the hospital for endoscopy, using a questionnaire.

RESULTS

A total of 436 patients (50%) reported predominantly upper gastrointestinal symptoms, 344 (39%) predominantly lower symptoms, and 93 (11%) patients reported both upper and lower symptoms. Patients with mild, moderate and severe symptoms, reported mean scores on a 100-point visual analogue scale (95% CI) of 90 (79-100), 75 (64-86) and 64 (53-76), respectively (P < 0.001). Mean visual analogue scale scores (95% CI) almost linearly declined from 81 (77-85) to 49 (46-52) for those with one to those with more than eight symptoms. Patients who reported upper gastrointestinal symptoms and in particular epigastric pain, bloating and vomiting had significantly impaired health status in comparison to patients without these symptoms (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Severity of gastrointestinal symptoms is the most important factor in affecting health status, followed by the numbers and type of gastrointestinal symptoms.

Evaluation of treatment for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease with a proton pump inhibitor, and relationship between gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and Helicobacter pylori infection in Japan

BACKGROUND

Effective therapy for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is associated with improvement in health-related quality of life. It remains unclear whether Helicobacter pylori infection protects against GERD.

AIM

We evaluated the relationship between GERD and H. pylori, and whether the health-related quality of life score improved after medical treatment.

METHODS

We enrolled 151 outpatients with upper abdominal symptoms; 81 patients received omeprazole 20 mg/day for 2 weeks. Health-related quality of life was assessed using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) and the Psychological General Well-Being (PGWB) index. H. pylori infection was diagnosed by serum antibody or endoscopy and the relationship between GERD and H. pylori was evaluated.

RESULTS

In GERD patients, the mean GSRS score improved from 2.20 to 1.67 following treatment (P < 0.01). The mean GSRS reflux symptom score improved from 2.96 to 1.67 (P < 0.01). The mean PGWB score improved from 96.36 to 107.34 (P < 0.01). All scores in GERD patients significantly improved compared with non-GERD patients. The H. pylori-positive ratio was 66.15% in GERD patients and 65.21% in non-GERD patients (P = 0.94).

CONCLUSIONS

Health-related quality of life is useful for evaluation of proton pump inhibitor treatment in GERD. The presence of H. pylori was not associated with the prevalence of GERD.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease: a typical spectrum disease (a new conceptual framework is not needed)

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common GI disorder, particularly frequent in the primary care setting, with a high direct and indirect economic burden on society. Despite the high prevalence and costs of the disease, the epidemiology and natural history of GERD have not been fully elucidated. It has recently been suggested to abandon the current model of GERD as a "spectrum" disease and to adopt a new conceptual framework, e.g., categorizing GERD into three unique groups of patients: nonerosive reflux disease, erosive esophagitis, and Barrett's esophagus. In the present review we present arguments against this proposal, and argue that the concept of a single disease, potentially progressing from mild nonerosive forms toward metaplasia and neoplasia (adenocarcinoma), still holds true and may in fact help us in planning the diagnostic and therapeutic approach as well as in allocating financial resources much better than the proposed model of a "tripartited" disease. Independently from the conceptual model adopted, however, more data on the natural history of patients with GERD are eagerly needed.

Natural history of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease without oesophagitis (NERD)--a reappraisal 10 years on

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Ten years ago we published a study describing the 6-month outcome of 33 outpatients with typical gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms and pH-metry proven excess gastro-oesophageal reflux but without endoscopical evidence of oesophagitis, currently referred to as patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease without oesophagitis. We now present an update of that report concerning morbidity, drug consumption and quality of life of the original patients 10 years after the initial diagnosis.

METHODS

The study consisted of the retrieval and revision of all clinical and instrumental records concerning the cohort of 33 above-mentioned patients. Data are available regarding annual intervals within the first 5 years from original diagnosis and, subsequently, with a follow-up ranging from 7 to 14 years (median 10 years). The records of these 33 patients were reviewed, including the results of clinical visits at the outpatients department, of oesophagogastroduodenoscopies and pH- metries. Finally, a telephonic interview was conducted by means of a structured questionnaire, aiming at evaluating present symptoms, actual therapy if any, health-related quality of life and other information regarding any gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms.

RESULTS

Of the original 33 patients, 31 are still alive and 2 were lost to follow-up. Of the 29 remaining, only 1 is definitively not complaining of any gastro-oesophageal reflux disease-related symptoms. Within 5 years of the first diagnosis, oesophagitis was found in all but one of the 18 subjects who underwent repeated endoscopy. At the latest follow-up check, after a median of 10 years, out of the 28 still complaining of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms, 21 (75%) were presently taking antisecretory drugs (proton pump inhibitors and H-2 receptor antagonists) because of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms/lesions, 12 of whom intermittently or on demand and the remaining 9 continuously. Two patients (2/28) underwent antireflux surgery, but despite this were still taking antisecretory drugs (in one case H2-RA; in the other proton pump inhibitor). The health-related quality of life, self-evaluated by the patient by means of a VAS scoring from 0 (worst possible) to 10 (best possible) increased significantly from 3.2 to 6.5 from baseline (before therapy) to present time, possibly due to the positive effect of present therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study conducted on a cohort of endoscopy-negative patients with pH-metry-confirmed reflux disease has shown that after a median time of 10 years following the original diagnosis, the majority of patients have, in fact, developed reflux oesophagitis and are on prolonged antisecretory therapy because of recurrent gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms/lesions. The study confirms that gastro-oesophageal reflux disease without oesophagitis, as well as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease at large, is a chronic disease characterised by increasing severity with time, which requires protracted medical therapy in a vast proportion of patients. Absence of endoscopic oesophagitis at presentation does not represent a positive prognostic factor.

Factors associated with health-related quality of life in chronic pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES

Chronic pancreatitis may lead to considerable reduction in health-related quality of life, but factors associated with a poor perceived health status have not been investigated.

METHODS

We recruited 265 patients with chronic pancreatitis from a tertiary care gastroenterology clinic. Health-related quality of life was assessed using the Short Form-36 Health Survey. Data were compared with age- and gender-adjusted values from the German general population (6964 adults). Factors associated with poor perceived health status were identified by logistic regression.

RESULTS

All domains of health-related quality of life were reduced in chronic pancreatitis. Decrements were most pronounced in role limitations caused by physical (-25%) and emotional health problems (-15%), and general health perceptions (-19%). Severity of abdominal pain, chronic pancreatic diarrhea, low body weight, and loss of work independently contributed to the physical component score of the Short Form-36 (adjusted R2= 33.8%) and were the factors most closely associated with poor health status perception. The etiology and duration of the disease or changes in pancreatic morphology had no impact on health-related quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with chronic pancreatitis experience substantial impairments in health-related quality of life. The severity of chronic pancreatitis-related symptoms is directly associated with patient function and well-being. These data offer further insight into the impact of chronic pancreatitis on patient health status and may serve as the basis for the development of disease-specific instruments, which are needed to measure the effect of therapeutic interventions on patient-derived health outcomes.

Living with chronic heartburn: insights into its debilitating effects

Heartburn is a common, often disabling condition. Twenty percent of adults exhibit symptoms at least once weekly. Few obtain complete satisfactory relief of their symptoms without the simultaneous implementation of significant lifestyle modifications and appropriate pharmacologic intervention. Poor sleep and chronic symptoms impair the QoL in 25% to 30% of such cases. Nocturnal symptoms are more troublesome, more difficult to treat, and are often manifested by extraesophageal symptoms. Several patients, however, unknown to their physicians continue to experience heartburn, despite lifestyle changes and taking prescription drugs. Adequate acid suppression is currently essential to effective management of the condition.

Esomeprazole 40 mg and 20 mg is efficacious in the long-term management of patients with endoscopy-negative gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: a placebo-controlled trial of on-demand therapy for 6 months

BACKGROUND

On-demand therapy may offer an effective approach to the long-term management of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) without oesophagitis.

AIM

To examine the efficacy of the novel proton pump inhibitor esomeprazole as on-demand therapy in endoscopy-negative GORD.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Endoscopy-negative GORD patients who achieved complete resolution of heartburn after short-term esomeprazole or omeprazole treatment (n = 721) were randomized to esomeprazole 20 mg (n = 282), 40 mg (n = 293) or placebo (n = 146) on demand (maximum one dose/day) for 6 months. The primary and secondary efficacy endpoints were time to study discontinuation due to (i) unwillingness to continue and (ii) inadequate control of heartburn, respectively.

RESULTS

Both doses of esomeprazole were more effective than placebo. During the 6-month period, 42% of placebo recipients discontinued treatment due to unwillingness to continue, compared with 8% and 11% of esomeprazole 20 mg and 40 mg recipients, respectively. Overall, more patients treated with esomeprazole were free from gastrointestinal symptoms after 6 months of on-demand therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Esomeprazole 20 mg was superior to placebo for on-demand treatment of GORD; a higher dose did not confer additional clinical benefit. Over 90% of patients were willing to continue on-demand treatment with esomeprazole 20 mg over a 6-month period.

Patient-centred endpoints in economic evaluations of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

AIM

To perform a systematic review of the economic literature on gastro-oesophageal reflux disease to evaluate (a) the use of patient-centred effectiveness end-points, or (b) the use of patient-centred economic end-points, and the influence of these end-points on the outcome of the model.

METHODS

Three electronic databases (EMBASE, BIOSIS and Medline) were used, together with a manual search of meeting abstracts for relevant articles. The quality of the studies was determined by the Drummond criteria.

RESULTS

Our initial search identified 179 articles and a manual search revealed 78 abstracts and articles. A total of 47 studies (36 fully published articles and 11 abstracts) met the seven Drummond criteria for inclusion in our evaluation.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review demonstrates that many of the published economic evaluations available today take the perspective of the third-party payer and focus on pharmaceutical costs relevant to the third-party payer. Our study also demonstrates that there are a number of costs of illness determinations, such that pharmaceutical costs account for only a small proportion of the total costs of managing gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Future economic analyses should consider an evaluation of the patient's desire for complete symptom relief by including cost-utility assessments or willingness to pay data.

Health-related quality of life and gastrointestinal disease

Society is changing rapidly, and new aspects need to be considered when evaluating treatment of disease. Health-related quality of life (HRQL) is a relatively new addition to the tools clinicians use to gain a better understanding of the impact of disease and its treatment. The questions 'What is it?', 'How it is measured?' and 'How can the information be used?' are now better understood than a few years ago. Generic instruments to capture HRQL enable a broad assessment of a range of aspects and can be used to make comparisons between different patient populations. Irrespective of the choice of instrument, they can classify the influence of different factors, such as gender, age, general health status and disease severity. Health-related quality of life assessments have been made in many areas of gastroenterology, such as reflux disease, inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome, to describe the burden of illness and the impact of treatment. Health-related quality of life as a prediction of treatment response is another interesting option. Its ability in the context of surgical intervention and outcomes is also emerging even though more work must be done in this area. Health-related quality of life evaluations, as an additional tool in the management of patients, are here to stay.

Health-related quality of life among adults with symptoms of overactive bladder: results from a U.S. community-based survey

OBJECTIVES

To assess, by means of a survey, the impact of the symptoms of overactive bladder (urinary frequency, urgency, and urge incontinence) on the quality of life in a community-based sample of the U.S. population.

METHODS

A telephone survey was conducted in the United States among an age and sex-stratified sample of 4896 noninstitutionalized adults 18 years of age and older. From the responses to the telephone survey, a total of 483 individuals with symptoms of overactive bladder and 191 controls completed a mailed follow-up questionnaire to assess their quality of life using the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 20.

RESULTS

After adjustment for age, sex, and the use of medical care, the greatest differences in the quality-of-life scores between the patients with incontinent overactive bladders and the controls were in the health perception (17.6 points; P <0.001) and role functioning (13.0 points; P <0.001) scales. Those with an overactive bladder with the symptoms of frequency or urgency, or both, but without incontinence, also had significantly lower scores than did the controls in mental health (P = 0.026), health perception (P = 0.01), and bodily pain (P = 0.016).

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate that individuals with an overactive bladder experience decrements in their quality of life relative to community controls. An important new finding from this study is that individuals with an overactive bladder, even without demonstrable urine loss, also have a poorer quality of life than that of controls.

Quality of life in functional dyspepsia: responsiveness of the Nepean Dyspepsia Index and development of a new 10-item short form

BACKGROUND

The Nepean Dyspepsia Index is a reliable and valid measure of quality of life in functional dyspepsia, but responsiveness has been little studied. The Nepean Dyspepsia Index originally contained 42 items designed to measure impairment of a subject's ability to engage in relevant aspects of their life because of dyspepsia, and their enjoyment of these aspects; in addition, the individual importance of areas was assessed. It was subsequently shortened to 25 items, yielding five sub-scales.

AIM

To test the Nepean Dyspepsia Index's responsiveness and develop a responsive, very short form.

METHODS

A randomized, double-blind controlled trial was performed in 589 patients with documented functional dyspepsia. Symptoms and quality of life were measured at baseline, 2 and 4 weeks. Responsiveness of the Nepean Dyspepsia Index quality-of-life section was evaluated by correlation with symptom scores and calculation of standardized changes in scores. Two items from each sub-scale which best represented the area of life (by factor loadings) were selected to create the 10-item short form (SF; short form-Nepean Dyspepsia Index). Internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach's alpha and responsiveness was assessed as above.

RESULTS

The Nepean Dyspepsia Index quality-of-life scales demonstrated excellent responsiveness to change in both the active and placebo arms (standardized response means all > 1.0). The Nepean Dyspepsia Index accounted for only 8% of the variance in percentage change in symptoms (by visual analogue scales), indicating that it was evaluating areas of life not covered by symptoms. The 10-item short form had adequate internal consistency (all scales > or = 0.70) and all strongly (and significantly) correlated with the long form sub-scales; it was also highly responsive.

CONCLUSION

The Nepean Dyspepsia Index is a responsive disease-specific quality-of-life measure; the 10-item short form can be applied in clinical trials of functional dyspepsia.

Quality of life in patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms: results from the Domestic/International Gastroenterology Surveillance Study (DIGEST)

BACKGROUND

Our purpose was to evaluate the impact of upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms on quality of life (QoL), which was assessed using the Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI) and the three-item Interference with Daily Life Index (IDLI).

METHODS

The Domestic/International Gastroenterology Surveillance Study (DIGEST) was conducted among 5581 respondents (mean age 44 years) from 10 countries (seven European countries plus Canada, USA and Japan).

RESULTS

Approximately 25% of the respondents reported conditions such as hypertension, asthma or diabetes, and a mean of 46.4% reported at least one GI symptom. The most frequent symptoms were heartburn, diarrhoea and postprandial fullness. Approximately 10-20% of the respondents reporting individual symptoms experienced these several times a week. Symptoms were considered as severe or interfering 'quite a lot' with daily activities by at least 7.3% and 4.8% of respondents, respectively. PGWBI scores varied from 71.82 (Italy) to 79.43 (Switzerland) and daily activity scores from 88.62 (USA) to 97.78 (Switzerland). Female gender, medical conditions and presence of GI symptoms were associated with significantly impaired wellbeing and daily life. PGWBI and IDLI scores were lower among respondents with relevant upper GI symptoms than non-upper GI symptoms. Among upper GI symptom groups, subjects with ulcer-like symptoms had lower scores than patients with GERD-like or dysmotility-like symptoms. PGWBI and IDLI scores were found to discriminate between respondents reporting different symptom frequencies and severities.

CONCLUSIONS

Results from the DIGEST demonstrate on a large scale the importance of GI symptoms in daily life and their influence on QoL.

Quality of life in patients with heartburn but without esophagitis: effects of treatment with omeprazole

OBJECTIVE

Because improvement in quality of life (QoL) is an important therapeutic goal in patients with heartburn but without esophagitis, the aim of the present study was to compare the impact of omeprazole 20 mg or 10 mg daily with that of placebo on QoL in patients with heartburn as the predominant symptom.

METHODS

QoL was measured at baseline and after 4 wk using two validated questionnaires, the Psychological General Well-Being (PGWB) index and the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale.

RESULTS

The two questionnaires were completed by 163 patients in the omeprazole 20 mg group, 163 in the omeprazole 10 mg group, and 82 in the placebo group. The reflux dimension of the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale showed a significant improvement in terms of reflux symptoms on omeprazole 20 mg versus omeprazole 10 mg and placebo, and on omeprazole 10 mg compared with placebo. The total score of the PGWB index improved significantly more on both doses of omeprazole than on placebo. The mean scores rose from 96.8 to 103.9 on omeprazole 20 mg, from 98.4 to 106.0 on omeprazole 10 mg, and from 98.0 to 100.6 on placebo. All dimensions of the PGWB index improved on treatment with omeprazole, but the improvements were most pronounced in the dimensions depicting anxiety, depressed mood, and self-control.

CONCLUSIONS

It is concluded that treatment with omeprazole 20 mg and omeprazole 10 mg restores QoL to a level comparable with that observed in a healthy population.

Development of a new dyspepsia impact scale: the Nepean Dyspepsia Index

BACKGROUND

There is not at present a suitable disease-specific health-related quality of life instrument for uninvestigated dyspepsia and functional (non-ulcer) dyspepsia.

AIM

To develop a new multi-dimensional disease-specific instrument.

METHODS

The Nepean Dyspepsia Index (NDI) was designed to measure impairment of a subject's ability to engage in relevant aspects of their life and also their enjoyment of these aspects; in addition, the individual importance of each aspect is assessed. A 42-item quality of life measure was developed and tested, both in out-patients presenting to general practice with upper gastrointestinal complaints (n = 113) and in a randomly chosen population-based sample (n = 347).

RESULTS

Adequate face and content validity was documented by an expert panel. Factor analysis identified four clinically relevant subscales: interference with activities of daily living, work, enjoyment of life and emotional well-being; lack of knowledge and control over the illness; disturbance to eating or drinking; and disturbance to sleep because of dyspepsia. These scales had high internal consistency. Both symptoms and the quality of life scores discriminated dyspepsia from health.

CONCLUSION

The Nepean Dyspepsia Index is a reliable and valid disease-specific index for dyspepsia, measuring symptoms and health-related quality of life.