Comparison of presentation and impact on quality of life of gastroesophageal reflux disease between young and old adults in a Chinese population

Table 1 Characteristics and endoscopic symptoms in younger and elderly cases with gastroesophageal reflux disease

Variable	Younger group(n = 78, 70.3%)		Elderly group(n = 33, 29.7%)
	n (%)	mean ± SD	n (%)	mean ± SD	P value
Mean age (yr)		37.73 ± 10.17		72.94 ± 9.58
Symptom duration (yr)		2.82 ± 3.92		2.50 ± 2.99	0.3841
Gender					0.0012
M	31 (39.7)		24 (72.7)
F	47 (60.3)		9 (27.3)
Endoscopic reflux esophagitis severity
NERD	15 (19.2)		0		0.0013
L.A. Grade A	50 (64.1)		16 (48.5)
L.A. Grade B	8 (10.3)		8 (34.2)
L.A. Grade C	5 (6.4)		6 (18.2)
L.A. Grade D	0		3 (9.1)

¹Pearson’s χ² test,

²Independent t test,

³Fisher’s exact test. F: Females; M: Males; L.A.: Los Angeles classification; SD: standard derivation; NERD: Non erosive reflux disease.

Table 2 Symptom presentation measured by gastroesophageal reflux disease impact scale in younger and elderly patients

GERD impact scale	Young group(n = 78, 70.3%)	Elderly group(n = 33, 29.7%)
	n (%)	n (%)	P value
Burning			0.005
None of the time	30 (38.50)	22 (66.70)
A little of the time	34 (43.60)	1 (3.00)
Some of the time	9 (11.50)	9 (27.30)
All of the time	6 (6.40)	1 (3.00)
Pain in chest			0.001
None of the time	40 (51.30)	28 (84.80)
A little of the time	28 (35.90)	4 (12.20)
Some of the time	9 (11.50)	0
All of the time	1 (1.30)	1 (3.00)
Food coming into mouth			0.058
None of the time	16 (20.50)	15 (49.40)
A little of the time	48 (61.50)	13 (39.40)
Some of the time	7 (9.00)	2 (6.10)
All of the time	7 (9.00)	3 (9.10)
Hoarseness			0.01
None of the time	21 (55.20)	20 (60.60)
A little of the time	37 (26.90)	8 (24.20)
Some of the time	15 (11.50)	4 (12.20)
All of the time	5 (6.40)	1 (3.00)
Chronic heartburn			0.708
None of the time	43 (55.20)	22 (66.70)
A little of the time	21 (26.90)	6 (18.10)
Some of the time	9 (11.50)	3 (9.10)
All of the time	5 (6.40)	2 (6.10)

All were analyzed by Fisher’s exact test. GERD: Gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Table 3 Quality of life measured by quality of life of gastroesophageal reflux disease impact scale in younger and elderly cases

GERD impact scale	Young group(n = 78, 70.3%)	Elderly group(n = 33, 29.7%)
	n (%)	n (%)	P value
Sleep disturbance			0.004
None of the time	37 (47.40)	27 (81.80)
A little of the time	26 (33.30)	4 (12.10)
Some of the time	8 (10.30)	0
All of the time	7 (9.00)	2 (6.10)
Food and drink problems			0.001
None of the time	28 (35.90)	29 (78.90)
A little of the time	31 (39.70)	3 (9.10)
Some of the time	6 (7.7)	0
All of the time	13 (16.70)	1 (3.00)
Social interference			0.005
None of the time	44 (56.40)	28 (84.80)
A little of the time	27 (34.60)	3 (9.10)
Some of the time	6 (7.70)	0
All of the time	1 (1.30)	2 (6.10)

All were analyzed by Fisher’s exact test. GERD: Gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Table 4 Scores of SF36 questionnaire in younger and elderly cases with gastroesophageal reflux disease

SF-36	Younger group(n = 78, 70.3%)	Elderly group(n = 33, 29.7%)
	mean ± SD	mean ± SD	P value
Total SF 36 score	64.58 ± 16.84	70.73 ± 18.50	0.106
Total physical health scores	64.54 ± 15.96	60.03 ± 19.06	0.24
Total metal health scores	54.77 ± 16.18	66.18 ± 15.10	0.011
Physical functioning	90.26 ± 15.52	88.36 ± 21.00	0.342
Role-physical	72.76 ± 41.91	71.21 ± 39.09	0.853
Bodily pain	62.70 ± 18.35	69.18 ± 17.99	0.089
General perception	46.47 ± 18.06	58.09 ± 19.60	0.005
Vitality	51.22 ± 18.36	61.63 ± 19.46	0.013
Social functioning	72.18 ± 18.70	76.76 ± 19.73	0.263
Role-emotional	66.24 ± 45.76	76.82 ± 36.78	0.203
Mental health	54.77 ± 16.18	66.18 ± 15.10	0.001

All were analyzed by independent t test.