Nowak, Madeleine, Buttner, Petra, Raasch, Beverley, Daniell, Kym, McCutchan, Cindy, and Harrison, Simone (2005) Lifestyle changes as a treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux disease: a survey of general practitioners in North Queensland. Therapeutics & Clinical Risk Management, 1 (3). pp. 219-224.

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Abstract

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disorder in developed countries, with the usual treatment being medication. Previously, lifestyle modification was the only treatment for GERD; however, its effectiveness has not been assessed.

Methods: all practicing general practitioner (GP) members of two Divisions of General Practice (n = 193) in North Queensland, Australia, were surveyed in 2001 using a postal questionnaire to determine their views and practices relating to such treatment among adults with GERD.

Results: the response rate was 70.5%. Of those who responded, 17.6% recommended diet and postural advice as a first line of treatment, with postural advice (89.7%), avoid known precipitants (86.0%), reduce weight if overweight (79.4%), eat a low fat diet (45.6%), and stop smoking (17.6%) being the most common recommendations. Of the nine possible changes, the median number recommended was 3, interquartile range (IQR; 3, 4). Eighty-nine percent of GPs thought ≥ 10% of patients with GERD would benefit from lifestyle changes, but almost half thought ≤ 10% of patients would be prepared to change.

Conclusion: most GPs thought lifestyle changes would be beneficial when treating GERD, but did not believe their patients would change. Most GPs recommended fewer than half the lifestyle changes their peers believed effective in treating GERD.

Item ID:	8428
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1178-203X
Keywords:	GERD; lifestyle modification; general practitioners; beliefs; food; posture
Date Deposited:	18 Feb 2010 23:36
FoR Codes:	11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111706 Epidemiology @ 50% 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111716 Preventive Medicine @ 50%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920401 Behaviour and Health @ 34% 92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920411 Nutrition @ 33% 92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920412 Preventive Medicine @ 33%
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