Diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease in the primary care setting: can health-related quality of life play a role?

Health-related quality of life is a multidimensional construct and patient-centered outcome that patients value highly. In individuals with untreated GERD, multiple studies have demonstrated significant impairment in HRQOL. Treatment restores HRQOL to "normal" population levels. In this era of limited health care resources, formulary restrictions, and disease management guidelines, a more standardized approach to GERD diagnosis and management, through the utilization of a GERD-specific symptom rating scale and HRQOL measure(s), may be just what the doctor ordered.