Methodological Aspects of Evaluation of Quality of Life in Upper Gastrointestinal Diseases

Abstract

There is a growing interest in including Quality of Life (QOL) in gastroenterology. Along with objective variables such as healing rate, as recorded with endoscopy, QOL may give a better basis for evaluating medical treatment regimens. However, although QOL is an important aspect to consider, few studies in patients with upper gastrointestinal diseases have evaluated these aspects. The methods for assessing QOL may offer improved possibilities with which to evaluate the impact of therapies but also raise a number of questions concerning how to select, utilize and interpret the results obtained. This work is aimed at exploring some of the possibilities, but also challenges, in the evaluation of Quality of Life in patients with upper gastrointestinal diagnosis.

Key Words:

• Clinical studies
• gastrointestinal symptoms
• methodology
• quality of life