Effects of Lifestyle Modifications on the Quality of Life for a Patient With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Abstract

Introduction: Does the implementation of lifestyle modifications improve patient symptomatology with gastroesophageal reflux? What if any of these interventions do patients actually perform and find helpful? Methods: Retrospective study using a 10 question, questionnaire on 50 hospitalized patients mostly Caucasian female (50% and 68%, respectively) with an average age of 50 years old at the Kennedy Health System Washington Township and Stratford campuses from July 2013 til December 2013 with the diagnosis of GERD to assess lifestyle modifications implemented by patients, the effectiveness of these interventions, and the overall change in patient quality of life while comparing that to the effectiveness in treating the underlying GERD. Institutional review board approval was obtained with protocol number Pro2013002776, from Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine and Kennedy Health Systems. Results: A large percentage of patients did not attempt or were unsuccessful in implementing lifestyle modifications to help treat their GERD symptoms. Only 18% of patient’s ate four or more smaller meals a day, 76% laid down for sleep after eating within three hours, 52% still ate three or more servings of spicy/acidic foods a day, and 68% felt there was no improvement in their GERD symptoms and/or had worsening of their quality of life with attempts at lifestyle modifications which outweighed any improvements in their GERD. Though patients did elevate the head of their beds, 68% reported no improvement in GERD symptoms and reported in fact worsening of their sleep habits due to this. A promising benefit from attempts at lifestyle modifications is that 22% of patients reported cutting back or stopping tobacco usage. The overall usage of tobacco products in our sample size was small and 44% lost between 5 to 10 pounds. Weight loss and eating smaller more frequent meals were felt to be the most difficult interventions by patients (26% reporting for each) and overall, patients felt the most beneficial method to control their GERD symptoms was the usage of reflux medications (32%). Conclusion: Our study shows that patients found the majority of lifestyle modifications implemented to be too difficult or unrewarding to try and improve their GERD symptoms. Patients found the easiest and most beneficial method to control their GERD was to take anti-reflux medications. These findings belie the fact that as physicians, we must do a better job in educating our patients about the importance and benefits of lifestyle modifications while attempting to reserve the usage of medications as a cure all.