Onset and disappearance rates of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in the Spanish population, and their impact on quality of life Tasas de aparición y desaparición de los síntomas de reflujo gastroesofágico en la población española y su impacto sobre la calidad de vida

Background: few studies have reported the onset and disappearance rates of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms (GERS) in the population. Aim: to assess the occurrence and disappearance rates of GERS in Spain, and their impact on health-related quality of life (HRQL). Participants and methods: participants were selected at random from the general population of Madrid in age and sex strata. They were interviewed at home twice, 6 months apart. Heartburn, acid regurgitation and consultation were assessed with the gastroesophageal reflux questionnaire, and HRQL with the SF-36. Results: 709 individuals were included, and 451 (63.6%) were re-interviewed 6 months later. Among the 325 individuals without GERS, 9 developed weekly symptoms (2.2% [95% CI: 0.8, 3.4%]); 2 (22%) consulted because of GERS. Among the 34 subjects reporting weekly GERS initially, 26 did not report them at 6-months. Onset of GERS was associated with worsening scores in the physical summary of SF-36 (delta = -6.6 [95% CI: -11.8, -1.42]), while disappearance with an improved score (delta = -3.0 [95% CI: 0.0, 5.9]). Conclusion: despite the lower prevalence of GERS in Spain, the occurrence rate is 2.2% in 6 months; however symptoms disappeared in more than half of subjects six months later. Developing GERS was associated with reduced HRQL, and their disappearance with improvement.