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24 Hours Of Misery For Heartburn Sufferers - Sex And Work Are Major Casualties
October 21, 200221 October 2002 - Geneva, Switzerland - New research shows that reflux disease (GERD), which causes heartburn, leads to misery around the clock for many sufferers. The effects of the disease are much more serious than previously thought, impacting not only on eating and drinking habits but also on work performance, social activities and even sex. Announced today at the United European Gastroenterology Week (UEGW), results from new research1 involving over 800 sufferers from around the world reveals the true impact of reflux disease and heartburn on patients' quality of life.
Professor Roger Jones, a UK-based primary care practitioner and Chairman of the European Society for Primary Care in Gastroenterology (ESPCG), welcomes the report: "The research shows that heartburn is much more than a minor nuisance for many people. Their whole lives both during the day and at night are dramatically impaired by the condition, affecting their work and personal relationships."
Not Tonight Josephine - I've Got Heartburn
While around four out of ten reflux sufferers interviewed had problems sleeping due to heartburn, the survey also recognises that almost one in ten reflux sufferers found their sex lives hampered by the condition. With estimates that reflux disease could affect up to one quarter of the population of Europe, this latest finding indicates that 'burning passions' could be overcome by the burn of acid reflux for several million Europeans2.
Heartburn Disrupts Work Performance
Uncontrolled reflux also significantly affects work performance. Commenting on these disturbing findings, Cary Cooper, Professor of Organisation, Psychology and Health at University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST), UK said: "It is possible that heartburn can impact on the workplace - many sufferers may even have missed opportunities for promotion because of the disease. With lack of sleep and energy levels substantially reduced, you won't work as well, and more than half of respondents in the survey claimed that their heartburn had affected their working life in some way. Effective medication to control their disease and eliminate their symptoms is therefore essential."
According to the study, reflux disease also causes problems in a social setting as well as the workplace. Something which should be enjoyable, such as simply going out for drinks or a meal with friends, takes on a whole new dimension, as many sufferers feel embarrassed about their restricted options for eating and drinking. This could mean that some people will avoid the situation altogether. Nearly two in every three reflux patients stated that the disease had a substantial impact on eating and, for almost one-third, reflux had a substantial impact on their consumption of alcohol.
A Call to Action - Improving Patient Education
Dr David Armstrong, Assistant Professor in the Division of Gastroenterology at McMaster University in Canada, comments: "The research shows that we still have a big job to do in terms of patient education. For example, the survey revealed that many patients cause themselves unnecessary suffering by not seeking early medical help for heartburn. In some cases this could lead to more serious diseases, such as esophagitis. Over 50 per cent of patients only sought medical help once symptoms became too uncomfortable to bear. The good news is that over 90 per cent of patients felt that their quality of life had been enhanced by treatment, so there is no need for people to suffer unnecessarily".
According to survey findings, four out of five reflux sufferers agreed that the effects of reflux could be minimised by eating reasonable portions and living a healthy lifestyle. However, according to the international reflux disease treatment guidelines, this strategy is not effective. The Genval Guidelines3 as they are known, state that, for the initial treatment, the best medical strategy is to start with the most effective treatment first and then step-down the intensity of therapy to maintain control of symptoms.
Professor Jones concludes: "The goal of treatment for heartburn is the elimination of symptoms so you can achieve a normal, pain free life. Treatments, including prescription medications, such as newer proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like Nexium'¤, can achieve this for the vast majority of people. Of highest importance for patients is complete control over the symptoms that are negatively impacting their physical and emotional well-being."
The study involved interviewing over 200 physicians and over 800 of their patients from around the world both face-to-face and by telephone.
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