Validation of the GerdQ questionnaire for the diagnosis of GERD

Published ahead of print, the Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics validates the GerdQ questionnaire for the diagnosis of GERD.

The diagnosis of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) remains a challenge as both invasive methods and symptom-based strategies have limitations.

The symptom-based management of gastro-esophageal reflux disease in primary care may be further optimized with the use of a questionnaire.

Dr Jonasson and colleagues assessed patients with symptoms suggestive of gastro-esophageal reflux disease without alarm features, who underwent upper endoscopy, and if normal, pH-metry.

Patients were followed for 4 weeks and GerdQ was completed blinded to the investigator at both visits.

The research team noted that reflux esophagitis or pathological acid exposure was used as diagnostic references for gastro-esophageal reflux disease.

The diagnostic accuracy for gastro-esophageal reflux disease on symptom response to proton pump inhibitor was assessed.

The team of doctors found that among the 169 patients, a gastro-esophageal reflux disease Q cutoff 9 gave the best balance with regard to sensitivity, 66%, and specificity, 64%, for gastro-esophageal reflux disease.

Symptom resolution on proton pump inhibito therapy had a sensitivity of 76%

Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics

The high prevalence of reflux esophagitis resulted in a high proportion of true positives, but at the same time a high proportion of false-negatives.

The research team observed that consequently, gastro-esophageal reflux disease Q had a high positive predictive value, 92%, but a low negative predictive value, 22%, for gastro-esophageal reflux disease.

Symptom resolution on proton pump inhibito therapy had a sensitivity of 76%, but low specificity at 33%, for gastro-esophageal reflux disease.

The team report that gastro-esophageal reflux disease Q is a useful complementary tool for the diagnosis of gastro-esophageal reflux disease in primary care.

Dr Jonasson's team comments, "The implementation of gastro-esophageal reflux disease Q could reduce the need for upper endoscopy and improve resource utilization."

"Symptom resolution on proton pump inhibitor did not predict gastro-esophageal reflux disease."