OBJECTIVES: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition associated with functional impairment and loss of productivity. Management and the patient perspective may be better understood when considering the quality of life patients experience. The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review involving GERD and quality of life parameters.

METHODS: A literature search of MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library was performed for randomized controlled trials, case-control, and cohort studies published between 2013 and 2023. Eligible criteria included adult GERD patients with quality of life data from a disease-specific or generic assessment tool. Narrative synthesis of pre- and post-procedural total scores were included in data analysis.

RESULTS: Eight randomized controlled trials and 34 observational studies were included. Of these, only one publication used more than one quality of life instrument. The mean GERD Health-Related Quality of Life (GERD-HRQL) scores ranged from 13.3 to 37.1 at baseline, which decreased to 1.3 to 31.6 after treatment. Furthermore, the mean Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) ranged from 72.0 to 96.3 at baseline, which increased to 94.8 to 119.8 after treatment. GERD-HRQL was used in 35 of the studies and GIQLI was used in four studies. Other than the use of the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) (n = 3), evaluation of the quality of life among GERD patients only included EQ-5D, Psychological General Well-Being (PGWB), SF-36, and Gastroesophageal Reflux Symptom Score (GERSS) in individual studies. The results of these assessments indicated post-treatment improvement.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with GERD have poor quality of life and active treatment seems to have a beneficial influence on quality of life, considering the pre-post analysis of GERD-HRQL and GIQLI scores. Despite this observation, the range of total scores was broad irrespective of the measurement point. Generic quality of life instruments are not often used.