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

Abstract

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.