RISK FACTORS FOR EXTRAESOPHAGEAL SYMPTOMS OF GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE

The aim of the study was to investigate the frequency and nature of extraesophageal symptoms in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. 122 patients with GERD without comorbidity have been examined (58 males, 64 females). The anthropometrical survey has been performed; estimated age, duration of the disease and smoking have been taken into account. Extraesophageal symptoms were diagnosed with the rabeprazole test, the frequency and intensity of the symptoms were evaluated using a Likert scale. All patients underwent endoscopic examination and the assessment of quality of life by means of the SF-36 questionnaire. Extraesophageal symptoms of GERD were diagnosed in 38 (31.1 %) patients, reflux laryngitis - in 14 (9.8 %) patients, reflux-pharyngitis - in 7 (4.1 %) patients, reflux cough - in 11 (7.3 %) patients, heart pain - in 6 (3.2 %) patients. In patients with extraesophageal manifestations compared with the patients having only physical symptoms, body mass index and the severity of heartburn on the Likert scale were significantly higher. Other indicators, such as disease duration, smoking, presence of erosive changes in the mucous membrane of the esophagus, hernia hiatal didn't statistically reveal any difference between the groups. When comparing the quality of life it has been revealed that the indicators of physical health had no statistical difference in the two groups, when mental health indices were lower in those with extraesophageal symptoms of GERD