Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Among ICU Survivors

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition characterized by reflux of stomach contents causing troublesome symptoms and complications. Typical symptoms include heart burn (a retrosternal burning sensation), regurgitation (perception of flow of refluxed stomach content into the mouth or hypopharynx) and chest pain. As per recently published global guidelines (2017) by World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO), the presence of heartburn and/or regurgitation symptoms 2 or more times a week is suggestive of GERD. Global burden of GERD in general population is approximately 1.03 billion, the prevalence of GERD varies geographically, with the highest prevalence of 19.55% in North America while in Asia, the estimated rate is 12.92%. However the data regarding the prevalence of GERD in intensive care unit (ICU) population is not yet established; which is expected higher after recovery from their current acute illness. In a healthy individual, several factors contribute to the prevention of reflux and to minimizing esophageal acid exposure: lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, the diaphragmatic crura, gravity, esophageal peristalsis, salivary bicarbonate and the integrity of esophageal epithelium. But in critically ill these factors are compromised leading to high incidence of GERD. Interventions commonly used in managing critically ill patients such as sedation, presence of an endotracheal tube, mechanical ventilation, enteral tube feedings, positioning, and medications, along with specific patient characteristics and comorbid conditions contribute to an increased risk for GERD in this population. GERD results in various symptoms which has impact on quality of life. Various reliable and validated generic and disease specific instruments are available to measure symptom severity of the disease. In the present study, among GERD patients, commonly and freely available GERD-Health-related quality of life (GERD-HRQL) score will be used which is a disease-specif