GERD QUESTIONNAIRE SCORE IS A SIGNIFICANT PREDICTOR OF HISTOLOGICALLY PROVEN REFLUX ESOPHAGITIS

Aims To study the predictive value of GERD Q score in the diagnosis of histologically proven reflux esophagitis (HPRE) .

Methods GERD questionnaire(Q) is composed of 6 items, 4 positive predictors for GERD : heartburn, regurgitations, sleep disorders and use of over-the-counter products & 2 negative predictors, nausea and epigastric pain. Score of symptoms (during last week) using a scale from 0 to 3 for positive predictors and from 3 to 0 for negative predictors. It was considered positive if the score was>8 points. Los Angeles (LA) class of GERD using both white light endoscopy (WLE) & I-scan 2 was done. Biopsies was taken from the four quadrants of the lower esophagus. Histological examination of the samples was performed and combined severity score (CSS) was calculated.

Results This study involved 60 patients, 28 males (46.7%) and 32 females (53.3%) with median age of 40 (30.3 – 59.8)years. GERD Q was higher (11.4±1.8) in cases with HPRE than cases without (10.3±1.3) (p=0.026).There was a statistically significant positive correlation between GERD Q score and both CSS (r=0.311&P=0016) and LA class by I-Scan 2 (r=0.280&P=0.030).Male gender & GERD Q score≥12 were significant independent predictors of HPRE (OR=6,8 & 95% CI=1.8-26 ,OR=6 & 95% CI=1.4-26 respectively).At cut off value of GERD Q=11points, the AUC for prediction of HPRE was 0.66 ,sensitivity was 47.5% & specificity was 85% (curve).

Fig. 1

Conclusions GERD questionnaire score is a significant predictor of histologically proven reflux esophagitis. It correlates with the combined severity score & Los Angeles classification of GERD .

Publication History

Article published online:
14 April 2022