RA06.08: PATIENTS WITH FUNCTIONAL REFLUX SYMPTOMS DO NOT DIFFER SUBJECTIVELY FROM PATIENTS WITH GERD

Abstract

Abstract Background Patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) often suffer greatly from their symptoms. The aim of this study was to determine if there is a difference in quality of life and gastrointestinal symptom complexes between patients with purely functional complaints and patients with objective GERD Methods Included were all patients with typical reflux symptoms who had GERD examination in 2017 at our department. All patients underwent high resolution manometry, 24-h ph-metry impedance measurement and gastroscopy. Quality of life was assessed using the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) and gastrointestinal symptoms using a Symptom Checklist (SCL) assessing the severity and intensity of 14 different symptoms. Based on the results of the 24-h ph-metry impedance measurement, patients were divided into 2 groups. Patients with functional reflux symptoms and patients with GERD. These two groups were compared. Results Complete data was available in 162 patients, of whom 86 patients (52.2%) were objectively reflux sick (DeMeester score mean: 37.85, SD ± 29.11) and 76 patients (46.1%) had a normal DeMeester score (Mean: 7.01, SD ± 4.09). Between the two groups no significant difference in quality of life was found (mean GIQLI of GERD patients: 94.81, SD ± 22.40, and mean GIQLI of patients with functional reflux symptoms: 95.26, SD ± 20.33, P = 0.988).Furthermore no significant difference could be found in symptoms (mean general SCL score of reflux patients:46.97, SD ± 29.23, of patients with functional reflux symptoms: 48.03, SD ± 29.17, P = 0.827). Conclusion Patients with functional complaints suffer just as much from their symptoms as patients who are objectively reflux sick. A differentiation between gastroesophageal reflux disease and functional reflux symptoms is only possible by means of functional diagnostics. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.