The demographic characteristics and health-related quality of life in a large cohort of reflux esophagitis patients in Japan with reference to the effect of lansoprazole: the REQUEST study

Patients with reflux esophagitis (RE) in Western countries have impaired health-related quality of life (HRQOL). However, few data are available concerning HRQOL in Asian patients with RE. To determine the demographic characteristics, HRQOL, and the impact of lansoprazole treatment in a large cohort of RE patients in Japan. Patients with RE were enrolled. Lansoprazole was administered for 8 weeks and HRQOL assessed using the SF-8 and a newly developed questionnaire for RE-specific HRQOL (RESQ) at baseline and after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. Among enrolled patients, 2320 patients with the Los Angeles classification grade A to D esophagitis at enrollment to the study were analyzed. A higher proportion of older women was observed (in the group of patients aged a parts per thousand yen60 years, 61.3% were women). Prevalence of obesity was 4.7%. At baseline, HRQOL scores of RE patients were well below the mean for the Japanese general population in all domains of the SF-8. After 8 weeks of treatment with lansoprazole, these scores significantly improved to the levels of the general population (P < 0.01). Scores of RESQ also significantly improved (P < 0.01). Demographically, RE patients in Japan differ from those in Western countries with an increased proportion in older women and lower prevalence of obesity. RE has a marked negative impact on HRQOL, which is significantly improved by treatment with lansoprazole.