Impact of designed life style modification protocol on reflux symptoms control among patients with gastro-esophageal reflux disease in Assiut university hospital

الملخص EN

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a very common problem and significantly affects the quality of patients life.

This disease is a digestive disorder that affects the lower esophageal sphincter (LES); the muscle connecting the esophagus with the stomach.

Dietary and life style choices contribute to the development of GERD.

The aims of the present study was to assess the life style of GERD patients, formulate life style modification regimen, implement the recommended life style and diet regimen, as well as to assess the impact of life style modification on the control of GERD symptoms.

|: Sixty adult male and female patients were selected randomly from those attending the outpatient clinic of the department of Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology.

They were divided into two groups (study and control groups, 30 patients for each).

Their age ranged from 20 - 50 years.

Those who have diabetes, liver cirrhosis, achalazia and peptic ulcer (duodenal and gastric were excluded from the study.

Two tools were utilized for data collection, tool I: covered the socio-demographic data and life style assessment data sheet.

Tool 2 covered medical data sheet to assess typical and atypical Symptoms of GERD.

The designed life style modification protocol was developed by the researcher \: and included information relevant to diet, smoking, rest, exercise and activity and lying down after meal.

Lecture/ discussion, posters, counseling and written protocol were utilized.

The patients of the study group were given treatment for GERD (pump inhibitor and domeperidon) in addition to dietry regimen designed specifically for patients with GERD and life style modification for 4 weeks.

Those in the control group were given treatment only for 4 weeks.

This study revealed that, 53.3% still improved (reflux symptoms control and reduction) during follow up period after 2 weeks after stop of treatment but still on life style modification protocol and 46.7% relapsed reflux symptoms, while in control group 100% relapsed after stop of treatment.

The study concluded the effectiveness of the designed life style modification protocol in the control of reflux symptoms.

Education of subjects about the disease reduced the occurrence of the problems.

The importance of raising GERD patients awareness about the importance of life style modification plus medical treatment, provide GERD patients with simple Arabic booklet about life style modification regimen and more studies carried on large sample and longer follow up period are needed.