Search

Background: Gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disorder that negatively impacts health-related quality of life (HRQL) and work productivity. Many patients have only a partial response to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy and continue to experience GERD symptoms despite optimized treatment. This observational study aimed to provide information on symptoms, HRQL, resource usage, costs and treatment pathways associated with partial response to PPI therapy in French patients with GERD. Methods: Patients with partial response to PPI therapy, defined as persistent GERD symptoms =3 days/week despite optimized treatment with a PPI, were recruited for this 12-month observational study. GERD symptoms, HRQL, work productivity and resource use were assessed by patient surveys. Costs were calculated based on lost work productivity and resource use. Results: The patient population (n=262; mean age, 54 years; 40% men) carried a significant symptom burden, with 98% of patients having moderate-to-severe GERD symptoms and 65% of patients experiencing daily symptoms at baseline. HRQL and work productivity were significantly impaired, with a greater degree of impairment in patients with higher symptom burden. The mean total cost per patient over the 12-month follow-up period was €5237, of which €4674 (89%) was due to lost work productivity. Conclusions: Partial response to PPI therapy for GERD is associated with a high symptom burden, significant impairment of HRQL and work productivity, and substantial GERD-related costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Disease burden and associated costs are not well understood among patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) who have persistent symptoms despite optimized proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate disease burden and costs of GERD in partial responders to PPI therapy. Methods: The Partial Response to PPI treatment: the Cost to Society and the Burden to the Patient in the US (REMAIN US) study was a 12-month, multicenter, noninterventional, observational study of 552 partial PPI responders in the USA. Participating sites were comprised of family practice (n = 30), internal medicine (n = 8), and specialist (gastroenterologist) centers (n = 15). GERD symptoms, health-related quality of life (HRQL), and impact on productivity were evaluated from patient-reported outcome instruments. Resource utilization data were also collected. Results: Patients had a high symptom burden, impaired HRQL, and reduced productivity while at work and in daily activities, despite optimized PPI therapy. Mean annual GERD-related costs were US$9944 per patient, comprising total direct costs and mean productivity loss costs of US$4068 and US$5876 per patient, respectively. Conclusion: Patients with GERD and a partial response to PPI therapy have considerable direct and indirect costs, along with substantial impairments in HRQL and productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objectives To validate a Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire (WPAI-GERD) developed to measure lost productivity due to symptoms of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). Methods and Data The WPAI-GERD was administered along with two quality-of-life questionnaires, Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia (QOLRAD) and Short Form 36 (SF-36), to a Swedish working population (N = 136) visiting a general practitioner for symptoms attributed to GERD. Correlation coefficients were calculated between each productivity variable derived from the WPAI-GERD and symptom severity, symptom frequency, quality of life dimensions, age, and gender. Statistical tests were carried out to determine the relationship between each productivity variable and the severity of heartburn. Results High correlations (range: 0.30–0.75) were found between productivity and symptom severity as well as between productivity and quality-of-life dimensions related to work and daily activities. The results demonstrated the ability of the questionnaire to discriminate between different grades of heartburn severity. On average, patients with heartburn reported 2.5 hours absence from work, 23% reduced productivity while at work, and 30% reduced productivity while doing regular daily activities during the week preceding the consultation. The SF-36 scores implied that patients, especially those with moderate-to-severe heartburn, had a poor quality of life compared with a normal population. Conclusion The results indicate a high convergent and discriminant validity of the WPAI-GERD questionnaire and also show that patients consulting a physician because of symptoms attributed to GERD report substantial impairment in both productivity and health-related quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]