Malaika Hilliard 202/973-5896 [email protected]
Sharon Burns-Pavlovsky 202/973-2934[email protected]
Symptoms of GERD Impair Sleep and Lower Worker ProductivityTwo studies highlight the importance of treating GERD symptoms
LAS VEGAS (October 22, 2001)--The results of two recent studies presented at the 66th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology underscore the need to control the symptoms of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). As many as 15 million Americans may suffer from this chronic disorder, and without treatment, people with GERD are more likely to experience interrupted sleep patterns and report a lower quality of life and increased absenteeism from work.
Daytime SleepinessNimish Vakil, M.D., and co-workers at the Sinai Samaritan Medical Center and the University of Wisconsin Medical School in Milwaukee analyzed the impact of GERD on interrupted sleep patterns. The sleep study recruited 101 patients.
"GERD is prevalent in patients with obstructive sleep apnea--the condition where people stop breathing for short periods when they're asleep. We wondered whether untreated GERD worsens sleep by causing spontaneous arousals during sleep," said Dr. Vakil. "We found that GERD patients on acid-suppressive therapy had half as many spontaneous arousals per hour as did untreated GERD patients. To improve sleep quality and reduce daytime sleepiness, we recommend treating GERD patients with acid suppressive therapy, such as proton pump inhibitors."
Recently, Dr. Vakil co-authored a review article on GERD. "Non-erosive Reflux Disease--Current Concepts and Dilemmas" was published in February 2001 in the American Journal of Gastroenterology 96:303-314.
Decreased Productivity at WorkJoshua J. Ofman, M.D., M.S.H.S. of Cedars-Sinai Health System and Zynx Health Inc. in Los Angeles, and colleagues interviewed 1025 workers to assess the impact of chronic heartburn on absenteeism and worker productivity. They found a significant relationship between reduced quality of life (from GERD symptoms) and reduced worker productivity.
Ofman and co-workers analyzed responses to a U.S. household mail survey and selected individuals who had reported chronic heartburn and who were currently employed. The researchers interviewed participants to determine quality of life, absenteeism, and worker productivity. The analyses revealed that those with a low quality of life had the greatest decline in worker productivity. Overall, 90% of the participants reporting a low quality of life reported reduced productivity. Conversely, only 22 percent of the participants reporting a high quality of life experienced reduced productivity.
"An important implication of this study relates to the importance of alleviating the symptoms of GERD to improve quality of life, reduce absenteeism, and enhance worker productivity," said Dr. Ofman. "The overall costs to employers may be reduced by effectively managing patients with chronic heartburn."
The ACG was formed in 1932 to advance the scientific study and medical treatment of disorders of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The College promotes the highest standards in medical education and is guided by its commitment to meeting the needs of clinical gastroenterology practitioners. Consumers can get more information on GI diseases through the following ACG-sponsored programs:
* 1-800-978-7666 (free brochures on common GI disorders, including ulcer, colon cancer, gallstones, and liver disease)* 1-800-HRT-BURN (free brochure and video on heartburn and GERD)* www.acg.gi.org (ACG's Web site)
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