Wednesday, April 25, 2007

GERD in the News

A new study, published in the journal "Digestion", determined the diagnostic and therapeutic response of the Reflux Disease Questionnaire (RDQ) using the symptom association probability as reference. The symptom association probability objectively determines with a Fisher exact test whether symptoms are due to reflux events taking all symptom episodes and reflux events into account. In addition, the RDQ's construct validity and its relationship to quality of life were ascertained.



The study shows the RDQ to be a valid and reliable questionnaire with excellent construct validity and a good relationship to quality of life. The diagnostic value of the RDQ in primary care is limited, but combination with an additional proton pump inhibitor treatment course might improve the RDQ's ability to discriminate GORD patients according to their symptom association probability outcome.



Medical News Today





Heartburn could be a precursor to gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, British doctors warn and note that the diagnosis of the disease is a relatively new phenomenon.  Statistics show that over a quarter of Britons have gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, also known as the GORD, and thousands of these are not getting the treatment they need. A noted general practitioner, Dr Rob Hicks, said that the GORD as a diagnosis was a relatively new phenomenon and that although most medical practitioners were aware of it, many patients could still be suffering in ignorance. "What we are trying to do is to raise awareness, because there are many people still suffering from heartburn two or three times a week. I would advise them to see their doctor," Hicks said.



MedIndia.com





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