GerdQ Questionnaire's Role in Identifying Gastroesophageal Symptoms in RA Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Nozaki Yuji, Kishimoto Kazuya, Tomita Daisuke, Itami Tetsu, Ashida Chisato, Kinoshita Koji, Matsumura Itaru
Primary Institution: Kindai University Faculty of Medicine
Hypothesis
The study investigates the relationship between gastroesophageal symptoms and rheumatoid arthritis disease activity and medication adherence.
Conclusion
Gastroesophageal symptoms significantly affect methotrexate treatment and patient-reported outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis.
Supporting Evidence
- Patients with moderate to high disease activity had higher gastroesophageal symptoms.
- Higher GerdQ scores correlated with increased tender joint counts and worse visual analog scale scores.
- Oral methotrexate dosage was significantly lower in patients with higher GerdQ scores.
Takeaway
This study shows that patients with rheumatoid arthritis often have stomach problems that can make it harder for them to take their medicine properly.
Methodology
The study used the GerdQ questionnaire to assess gastroesophageal symptoms in RA patients and analyzed their impact on disease activity and medication adherence.
Potential Biases
Self-reported data may be subject to recall bias.
Limitations
The cross-sectional design limits understanding of the relationship between gastroesophageal symptoms and MTX dosing over time.
Participant Demographics
558 rheumatoid arthritis patients, with a significant proportion being female (73.6%).
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 1.1–4.8
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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