Quality of life in gastroenterology. Interest of a specific questionnaire for duodenal ulcer patients.

Abstract

Quality of life (QoL), a subjective dimension, should be the most important criterion in the management of any disease. However, relevant methods have not been widely adopted although a large number of general health assessment measures are available. A consensus has now been reached on the importance of five domains: physical, mental, social and role functioning, and general health perception. Questionnaires are generally accepted as convenient tools, particularly when they include an assessment of general health and disease specific questions. In gastroenterology, chronic disease (e.g. Crohn's disease) and prolonged discomforts are ideal fields for QoL studies, and QoL data should be obtained in therapeutic trials. In duodenal ulcer (DU), the long-term nature of treatments and psychological status of patients make QoL studies of major interest, as exemplified by the nizatidine model.