Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a condition characterized by the reflux of gastric and duodenal contents into the esophagus, primarily manifested by symptoms such as acid regurgitation and heartburn. GERD significantly affects patients' daily lives and health-related quality of life. Prolonged gastroesophageal reflux can lead to repeated irritation of the esophageal mucosa by gastric acid and acidic gastric contents, resulting in the replacement of normal squamous epithelium in the lower esophagus with metaplastic columnar epithelium. This pathological change, known as Barrett's Esophagus (BE), is considered a precancerous lesion for esophageal adenocarcinoma.
GERD is a common gastrointestinal disorder with numerous risk factors that negatively impact patients' quality of life. Abnormal psychological conditions may influence various aspects of GERD, including its onset, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. The incidence and risk factors of GERD vary in different countries or regions. Currently, there is a lack of unified national epidemiological data on GERD in China. Conducting epidemiological studies on GERD in China to identify risk factors and develop prevention and treatment measures tailored to the country's or specific regions' circumstances is crucial for reducing the incidence of GERD and improving patients' quality of life. In the context of the modern biomedical model of "biopsychosocial" health, actively researching the psychological conditions of patients, while also addressing their physical ailments and providing psychological treatment, emphasizes holistic care. This approach may comprehensively alleviate disease symptoms and enhance quality of life, potentially leading to new breakthroughs in the treatment of GERD. Based on this, a specialized cohort for gastroesophageal reflux disease will be established, along with multicenter epidemiological and clinical research in the Xiamen area. This initiative will help clarify the etiology of GERD and provide firsthand resources for evidence-based prevention and treatment.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
1,625
This concerns a natural history study. No interventions will be used.
Zhongshan Hospital (Xiamen), Fudan University
Xiamen, Fujian, China
The prevalence of GERD in Xiamen city
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most prevalent gastrointestinal disorder in the world. In this study, we will study the incidence of GERD in Xiamen city.
Time frame: 3 months.
The percentage of reflux esophagitis
The percentage of participants diagnosed with reflux esophagitis using endoscopy among patients with baseline symptoms.
Time frame: 3 months.
The percentage of Barrett esophagus
The percentage of paticipants diagnosed with pathological Barrett esophagus using endoscopy monitoring among patients with baseline symptom in gastroenterology department will be calculated.
Time frame: 3 months.
The life quality of GERD patients who were diagnosed by endoscopy
The life quality of GERD patients with different main symptoms before PPI test will be measured via the 50-item short form health survey , in which higher scores mean a better quality of life.
Time frame: 3 months.
The sensitivity of GERD-Q for diagnosis of GERD
The sensitivity of GERD-Q for the diagnosis of GERD in patients with typical or atypical reflux symptoms will be calculated. The presence of reflux esophagitis on upper endoscopy and/or pathological acid reflux on 24-hour pH monitoring are considered as the gold standard for the diagnosis of GERD.
Time frame: 3 months.
The specificity of GERD-Q for diagnosis of GERD
The specificity of GERD-Q for the diagnosis of GERD in patients with typical or atypical reflux symptoms will be calculated. The presence of reflux esophagitis on upper endoscopy and/or pathological acid reflux on 24-hour pH monitoring are considered as the gold standard for the diagnosis of GERD.
Time frame: 3 months.
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