Self-management and help-seeking behavior for gastroesophageal reflux symptoms: A population-based survey

Figure 1 Gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and help-seeking behavior. ¹Fifty-eight of 3214 participants (1.8%) had missing data on gastroesophageal reflux symptoms (GERS); ²Seven of 1572 participants with GERS (0.4%) had missing data on consulting a primary care provider (PCP) for these symptoms; ³Two of 661 participants with GERS who had ever consulted a PCP for these symptoms (0.3%) had missing data on reasons for consulting a PCP; ⁴Two of 904 participants with GERS who had never consulted a PCP for these symptoms (0.2%) had missing data on reasons for not consulting a PCP; ⁵n > 659, because multi responses were possible; ⁶n > 902, because multi responses were possible; ⁷Five of 661 participants with GERS who had ever consulted a PCP for these symptoms (0.8%) had missing data on acid suppressant therapy; ⁸One of 904 participants with GERS who had never consulted a PCP for these symptoms (0.1%) had missing data on acid suppressant therapy; ⁹Twenty-seven of 661 participants with GERS who had ever consulted a PCP for these symptoms (4.1%) had missing data on undergoing a gastroscopy; ¹⁰n > 162, because multi responses were possible. GERS: Gastroesophageal reflux symptoms; PCP: Primary care provider.

Figure 2 Gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, help-seeking behavior, and eligibility for Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma screening according to the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Guideline. ¹Fifty-eight of 3214 participants (1.8%) had missing data on gastroesophageal reflux symptoms (GERS); ²Seven of 1572 participants with GERS (0.4%) had missing data on consulting a primary care provider for these symptoms; ³Participants ≥ 50 years with a prior history of long-term GERS (i.e., symptoms of heartburn or regurgitation for at least one day during the past week combined with experiencing these symptoms ≥ 5 years), and at least one of the following additional risk factors for Barrett’s esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma: (1) Dutch background (i.e., white ethnicity); (2) Male gender; (3) Body mass index ≥ 30 (i.e., obesity); (4) Being a current smoker; and (5) First-degree family history of BE or esophageal cancer. GERS: Gastroesophageal reflux symptoms; PCP: Primary care provider; BE: Barrett’s esophagus; EAC: Esophageal adenocarcinoma; ESGE Guideline: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Guideline.