The burden of illness of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease: impact on work productivity

Abstract

Summary Background: The impact of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease on work productivity has become increasingly important, as the symptoms of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease affect individuals in their productive years of life. Aims: To assess the impact of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease on reduced work productivity and to identify the predictors of reduced productivity. Methods: A sample of employed individuals reporting chronic heartburn was selected from US household mail survey respondents. Heartburn severity and frequency were recorded using a diary, and work productivity was assessed using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire for Patients with Symptoms of Gastro‐oesophageal Reflux Disease. Predictors of reduced productivity were evaluated. Results: Over 30% of heartburn sufferers reported reduced productivity. Individuals with symptoms of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (n = 1003) reported 6.0% reduced productivity attributable to symptoms. Over 48% of respondents with severe symptoms reported reduced productivity, compared with 40% and 12% of respondents with moderate and mild symptoms, respectively. Using logistic regression, severity, a younger age and nocturnal symptoms were associated with increased odds of reduced productivity. In those reporting nocturnal heartburn, medication use and sleep interference increased the odds of reduced productivity. Conclusions: Reduced work productivity is seen in a large proportion of subjects on prescription medication for gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease. Symptom severity and nocturnal heartburn are significantly associated with reduced work productivity, particularly when nocturnal heartburn interferes with sleep.

The Effect of Dexlansoprazole MR on Nocturnal Heartburn and GERD-Related Sleep Disturbances in Patients With Symptomatic GERD

“…Furthermore, this treatment was more eff ective in reducing the number of work hours missed due to GERD-related sleep disturbances. Th ese results are not unexpected when one considers the connection between repeated lack of sleep during the night and daytime sleepiness ( 9 ), as well as reduced HRQoL and work productivity ( 11 negative impact of nocturnal GERD on HRQoL and work productivity is well recognized ( 7,8,10 ). A recent survey of over 600 GERD patients on various PPI therapies found that the majority of patients continued to experience heartburn, with 83 % experiencing nocturnal symptoms and almost a quarter of these patients reporting severe or very severe nocturnal symptoms ( 32 ).…”

“…Among those reporting GERD symptoms, up to 89 % report nocturnal symptoms ( 1,4 -6 ), resulting in impairment in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and signifi cantly worse sleep quality ( 7,8 ). Because continued sleep disruption leads to increased daytime sleepiness ( 9 ), nocturnal heartburn can reduce productivity while patients are present at work, as well as reduce function when performing normal daily activities ( 7,8,10,11 ). Th e continued presence of nocturnal heartburn despite routine medical treatment is strongly associated with decreases in HRQoL ( 12 ).…”

Physical activity, obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease in the general population

“…GERD is associated with a negative impact on health-related quality of life (HRQL), increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma, and great costs for patients and society [3][4][5][6][7][8] . Established risk factors for GERD are overweight, tobacco smoking, low socioeconomic status, and heredity [9][10][11][12][13][14][15] , while the potential role of physical activity is complex and intriguing.…”

International validation of a health‐related quality of life questionnaire in patients with erosive gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease

“…9 Reduced daytime productivity, both at and outside work, whether due to sleep disturbances or reflux during the day also notably affects patients' daily living. 10,11 Consequently, impact of different GERD therapies on HRQoL is important in assessing treatment outcome, primarily to improve medical therapy. However, Prasad et al 7 only found 15 articles that looked on the impact of treatment on quality of life among nearly 1000 published on GERD treatment.…”