Gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms and health-related quality of life in the adult general population – the Kalixanda study

RONKAINEN, J.
ARO, P.
STORSKRUBB, T.
LIND, T.
BOLLING-STERNEVALD, E.
JUNGHARD, O.
TALLEY, N. J.
AGREUS, L.

*Center for Family Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
†Primary Health Care Centre, Haparanda, Sweden
‡Department of Medicine, Kalix Hospital, Kalix, Sweden
§Astra Zeneca R&D, Mölndal, Sweden
¶Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
**Department of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

Correspondence to: Dr J. Ronkainen, CeFAM, Karolinska Institutet, Alfred Nobels allé 12, S 14152, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden. E-mail: [email protected]

Publication data Submitted 13 February 2006 First decision 1 March 2006 Resubmitted 23 March 2006 Accepted 3 April 2006

Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics 23(12):p 1725-1733, June 15, 2006.

SUMMARY

Background

The impact of gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms on health-related quality of life in the general population is poorly characterized.

Aim

To identify the frequency of troublesome reflux symptoms associated with impaired health-related quality of life in the general population.

Methods

A representative random sample of 3000 adult inhabitants of northern Sweden was surveyed using the validated Abdominal Symptom Questionnaire (response rate 74%). In total, 1001 random responders were endoscoped and assessed using the Short Form-36 Health Survey.

Results

Complete data were obtained for 999 subjects: 6% reported reflux symptoms (heartburn and/or regurgitation) daily, 14% weekly and 20% less than weekly during the previous 3 months. Compared with no reflux symptoms, a clinically relevant impairment of health-related quality of life (≥5 points and P < 0.05) was seen in all eight Short Form-36 dimensions for daily symptoms, in five dimensions for weekly symptoms and in one dimension for less than weekly symptoms. There were no meaningful differences in Short Form-36 scores between subjects with and without oesophagitis.

Conclusions

Most aspects of health-related quality of life were impaired in individuals with daily or weekly reflux symptoms. Troublesome reflux symptoms at least weekly may identify gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.