A Cross-sectional Study on the Prevalence and Extraesophageal Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease(GERD) in Patients With Upper GI Symptoms, Visiting the Outpatient Departments of Peripheral Hospitals in Greece

A Cross-sectional Study on the Prevalence and Extraesophageal Symptoms of GERD in Patients With Upper GI Symptoms, Visiting the Outpatient Departments of Peripheral Hospitals in Greece. The 'GERDQ-XS' Study

The present study has been designed to provide current data on GERD prevalence in several regional areas of Greece outside the two major urban centres (Athens and Thessaloniki), to measure the treatment response in GERD patients, and to assess the correlations between the two methods of diagnosing GERD, i.e. reporting of symptoms by the patient to the physician and completion of the GerdQ questionnaire by the patient. Additionally, this study aims to provide data on the prevalence of extraesophageal symptoms in GERD patients in Greece. The XQS questionnaire will be applied for the identification of these patients and the assessment of the extraesophageal disease burden (frequency and intensity/severity). Finally, an association between the GerdQ and XQS scores will be attempted.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Provision of written informed consent
• Patients aged 18 and over
• Patients with upper-GI symptoms during the last week prior to the study visit

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of oesophageal, gastric or duodenal surgery
• Patients with history of malignancy
• Treatment with acetylsalicylic acid/NSAID during the last week prior to the study visit
• Therapy with PPI for the healing of ulcer induced by treatment with acetylsalicylic acid/NSAID
• Therapy with PPI for HP eradication or for healing of HP-related peptic ulcer