Embargoed for Release Until: Sunday, October 11, 1998, 6:00 p.m. Contact: Dana Victor Montenegro 202/973-5871 or [email protected]
New Study Finds Lower Quality of Life for Patients with Heartburn, GERD and Barrett's Esophagus
October 11, 1998, Boston, MA -- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Barrett's Esophagus (BE) -- a rare pre-malignant complication of GERD -- have a profound impact on a patient's daily life, according to a study presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG). Mohamad A. Eloubeidi, MD and Dawn Provenzale, MD, FACG of Duke University Medical Center examined the health-related quality of life for patients who have been diagnosed with either GERD or BE.
Although the researchers found no difference between the quality of life for the BE patients and the GERD patients, both groups scored below the U.S. average for their age on measures such as social functioning, physical functioning and bodily pain. According to the study, the lower quality of life scores were correlated with the frequency and severity of acid reflux as well as difficulty swallowing. These finding suggest that GERD and Barrett's Esophagus have a profound impact on daily living.
The researchers determined the health related quality of life by analyzing questionnaires from 88 patients diagnosed with BE and 92 patients with GERD, but no BE. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of race, gender or use of prescription medications.
Acid reflux occurs when the muscular valve at the lower end of the esophagus malfunctions, allowing a backward flow of acid from the stomach to the esophagus. Chronic acid reflux can signal a more serious medical condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. If left untreated, GERD can cause serious complications such as severe chest pain, esophageal stricture (a narrowing or obstruction of the esophagus), bleeding, asthma-like symptoms.
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