Evaluation of quality of life i̇n patients with gastroesophageal reflux

Evaluatıon Of Quality Of Life İn Patients With Gastroesophageal Reflux INTRODUCTION AND AIM: The aim of the present study was to perform the validity-reliability of the Turkish version of the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Quality of Life (GERD-QOL) scale, to assess the quality of life of the patients, and to determine the influencing factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 161 GERD patients who applied to the gastroenterology outpatient department of a university hospital between July 2017 and October 2017 constitute the sample of this study planned methodologically and with the descriptive characteristic. The data were collected by using the Patient Information Forms covering the socio-demographic characteristics, Quality of Life Scale for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD-QOL), SF-36 Quality of Life Scale, and Gastrointestinal Symptom Questionnaire. The analysis of these data was made by using validity and reliability analysis, the percentage, the mean, independent samples t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation analysis in the computer environment. RESULTS: GERD-QOL scale was determined to be valid and reliable as the result of the study made for the validity and reliability with the language validity, content validity (CV> 0.80), Cronbach's Alpha reliability coefficient (α = 0.885), and confirmatory factor analysis. It was observed that the mean score of the patients taken from the GERD-QOL was 46.58 ± 25.56; the mean score of the SF 36 physical main dimension was 54.24 ± 22.61; and the mean score of the mental main dimension was 50.42 ± 21.38. It was found that advanced age, low education level low-income level, single life, high BMI (body mass index), eating rate, sleep eating, the presence of another disease diagnosed by the doctor, and using regular medication were the factors that affect the quality of life of GERD patients. There was no statistically significant difference between the quality of life and smoking, alcohol use, skipping meals. CONCLUSION: It was determined that GERD-QOL was a valid and reliable scale that could measure the quality of life of the GERD individuals. It was found that GERD adversely affected the quality of life of individuals. Keywords: Gastroesophageal reflux, Validity, Reliability, Patient, Scale, Quality of Life.