Work Productivity Is More Impaired in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders Compared to GERD: Six-Month Data from PROGRESS

Abstract

Purpose: To assess work productivity and activity impairment over six months in patients with functional GI disorders (FGIDs), including irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C), chronic constipation (CC), and functional dyspepsia (FD), compared to patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Methods: The Patient Registry for Observational Gastrointestinal Research Epidemiology and Symptom Severity (PROGRESS) enrolled patients with one of the following GI conditions: IBS-C, CC, FD, or GERD, as confirmed by their primary care physician. The validated Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire, adapted for GI diseases (WPAI:GI), was administered biweekly between April 2005 and April 2006. Scores were expressed as percent of impairment/productivity loss resulting from GI disorders (higher scores indicate greater impairment and less productivity). Results: 161 FGID (86 IBS-C, 39 CC, 36 FD) and 239 GERD patients were enrolled. Surveys yielded mean response rates between 46% and 66% for each of the WPAI categories. Mean age was 51 years, 69% of patients were women, 82% were Caucasian, and 67% worked at least parttime at baseline. FGID patients reported greater work and daily activity impairment than patients with GERD (Table 1).Table 1: Mean WPAI Scores in GERD vs FGID Patients Over Six MonthsConclusion: Patients diagnosed with a FGID, such as IBS-C, CC, or FD, reported greater work productivity loss and daily activity impairment over a six-month period compared to patients with GERD. This impairment amounts to the loss of at least one day of work in a 40-hour workweek.