Sleep Disturbances Associated With Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease: Prevalence And Impact Of Treatment In French Primary Care Patients

Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of sleep disturbances in French patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and the impact of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease treatment on sleep.Methods: A registry was compiled of all gastro-oesophageal reflux disease patients seen during a 2-week period by 1983 French primary care physicians. Data from the first two patients with nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease-related sleep disturbances seen by each physician were derived from physician questionnaires and medical records. These patients completed a questionnaire during the initial consultation and after 1-month treatment.Results: A total of 33,391 patients were included in the study: physician questionnaires were available for 3269 patients and patient questionnaires for 2876. Nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms were reported by 21,337 patients (63.9%) and regular (at least once weekly) gastro-oesophageal reflux disease-related sleep disturbances by 19,313(61.7%). Multivariate analysis showed that nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms, use of hypnotic drugs, and age over 50 years were significant independent predictors of sleep disturbances. The proportion of patients reporting at least one nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptom during the previous week decreased following treatment, from 98.8% to 39.3% (P<0.001).Conclusions: Nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms are common in the French population and are associated with sleep disturbances. Effective treatment can significantly improve sleep duration and quality. (C) 2011 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.