SAN DIEGO – Gastroesophageal reflux disease refractory to proton pump inhibitors may affect nearly half of those treated, according to the findings of a population-based sample of more than 70,000 Americans.
As part of the National Institutes of Health GI Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (NIH GI-PROMIS) questionnaire, respondents could download a free app called “My GI Health,” which led them through a series of questions about GI diseases. Sean Delshad, MD, MBA, of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles, and his colleagues examined data on symptom responses about GERD and heartburn.
Their somewhat surprising findings were that 44% of respondents had ever had GERD and that 70% of those respondents had symptoms in the past week. GERD seemed to be more common in women than in men, and in non-Hispanic whites more than other demographic groups. The rate of proton pump inhibitor–refractory GERD was reported at 54%.
Dr. Delshad discussed the implications of the study results for treatment and research in a video interview at the annual Digestive Disease Week.