Characteristics of Symptom Presentation and Risk Factors in Patients with Erosive Esophagitis and Nonerosive Reflux Disease

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of gender on symptom presentation and quality of life of patients with erosive esophagitis (EE) and nonerosive reflux disorder (NERD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS Medical records from patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) between January and December 2009 were reviewed. The patients were assigned to either the EE or the NERD group. The general demographic data, the modified Chinese GERDQ scores and the Short Form (SF)-36 life quality questionnaire scores of the two groups of patients were compared. RESULTS Of the 261 patients, 87 (33.3%), 86 (33.0%) and 88 (33.7%) patients were classified into the EE, the NERD and the control groups, respectively. The patients in the EE group were significantly older (48.94 ± 17.38 vs. 43.34 ± 12.67 years), were predominately male (58.6 vs. 39.5%), had more frequently hiatal hernia (34.5 vs 17.4%), had a higher body weight (67.57 ± 15.13 vs. 61.06 ± 11.08 kg) and a higher body mass index (24.09 ± 4.61 vs. 22.68 ± 3.12) than those in the NERD group. The GERD-specific symptom scores and the general life quality scores of the EE and the NERD groups were similar, and both groups had lower life quality scores than the control group did. The female patients with NERD had a higher frequency of GERD symptoms and lower quality of life scores. Gender had no effect on symptom scores or life quality scores in the EE group. CONCLUSION The GERD-specific symptom severity and general quality of life scores of the EE and the NERD patients were similar. Gender had a great influence on symptom presentation and quality of life in patients with NERD, but not in those with EE.