Stress Complicates Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Treatment

Psychological distress results in more severe symptoms for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GRED) and complicated its treatment according to results of a study presented at the 2007 American College of Gastroenterology Annual Meeting and Postgraduate Course being held in Philadelphia.

William Chey, M.D., of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor said at the Gastroenterology conference that as much as forty per cent of patients with GERD have comorbid psychological distress.

Having comorbid psychological distress complicates GRED treatment. GERD is treated with what is known as acid-suppressive therapy proton pump inhibitors (PPI). The presence of stress makes GRED resistant to PPI treatments, according to the results presented by Dr. Chey.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is defined as a chronic disease or having mucosal damage produced by an abnormal acid reflux in the esophagus. Heartburn is the major symptom of acid in the esophagus and a sensation of burning and discomfort behind the breastbone is the major symptom of GERD.

According to Chey, as much as 30% of patients with GERD treated with PPI experiences resistance to the treatment and have incomplete symptom GERD relief, exacerbating the magnitude of the discomfort experienced by GERD patients.

Dr. Chey's study involved 101 patients who were evaluated for heartburn. Each study participant was evaluated accordingly from a medical point for his (or her) GERD disease. The severity of GERD was assessed. Quality of life and psychological status were also measured.

Psychological status was evaluated was performed used what is known as the Brief Symptom Inventory method. Here, a series of questions are asked, and based on the answers a score is assigned. A BSI score of 63 or more indicates psychological distress.

All study participants were GERD treated with rabeprazole (Aciphex) 20 mg/d. After eight weeks of PPI therapy, the health and psychological status was reevaluated