Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and quality of life

• Grant number: 20/16347-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2021
• End date: April 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: João Luiz Brisotti
• Grantee: Giovanna Nato Fiorotto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde de Barretos Dr Paulo Prata (FACISB). Barretos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is defined as the spontaneous passive return of gastric content to the esophagus, regardless of its etiology. When it is not associated with diseases or complications, it is called physiological GERD. However, when associated with signs and symptoms, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is characterized as one of the most common conditions in medical practice, being the most common organic condition of the digestive tract, defined as a chronic condition resulting from the retrograde flow of the gastroduodenal content for the esophagus and / or adjacent organs, causing a variable spectrum of esophageal and / or extra-esophageal symptoms and / or signs, associated or not with tissue injuries. This disease can significantly impair the patient's quality of life and interfere with their lifestyle. The diagnostic method of first choice for suspected GERD is upper digestive endoscopy (EDA), which allows macroscopic assessment of the esophageal mucosa and the collection of material for histopathological study, in addition to assessing the presence and degree of esophagitis (it is considered a best methods for such diagnosis). It should be noted that there is endoscopic esophagitis in about 50% of patients with GERD, with a predominance of typical manifestations (heartburn and regurgitation) and in only 15% to 20% of those with a predominance of atypical manifestations. Therefore, the absence of esophagitis in the endoscopic study does not exclude the diagnosis of GERD. Based on these data, this study aims to analyze the individual repercussions of this disease on the quality of life of patients considering the intensity of endoscopic and anatomopathological manifestations.