Is the questionnaire for the assessment of gastroesophageal reflux useful for diabetic patients?

Abstract

Objective. It has been suggested that the questionnaire reported by Carlsson et al. has high sensitivity in diagnosing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and is considered to be one of the most useful diagnostic tools for GERD. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ability of the questionnaire to identify gastroesophageal reflux (GER) diagnosed by 24-h pH monitoring in diabetic patients. Material and methods. Fifty-three patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled in the present study. GER was monitored by means of an antimony electrode. Patients completed the questionnaires immediately before undergoing pH monitoring. Results. Diabetic patients were found to have few symptoms, and the average score on the questionnaire was extremely low. No significant difference in scores on the questionnaire was observed between patients with and those without GER. Conclusions. The questionnaire was shown not to be useful for diagnosing GER as a complication in diabetic patients. We, therefore, should not diagnose GER as a complication in diabetes mellitus on the basis of the questionnaire.

• Diabetes mellitus
• gastroesophageal reflux
• questionnaire
• 24-h pH monitoring