Understanding gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: a patient-cluster analysis

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be grouped according to the physical and psychological impact of their disease. METHODS: In this multinational study, 7713 primary care physicians (PCPs) and gastrointestinal (GI) specialists took part in a structured online survey to determine how they perceive the clinical and psychological needs of their GERD patients, based on their three most recent consultations. Patients were grouped according to one of the five clusters that were subjectively developed based on preceding qualitative research. RESULTS: Findings are reported for 1157 respondents (875 PCPs, 282 GI specialists), who reviewed 3471 patient records. Two of the five original clusters were collapsed because of overlapping characteristics, giving rise to three patient clusters. Patients with ‘long-term, disrupting GERD’ (39%) had symptoms considered to have not only high physical but also psychological impact. Patients with ‘recurrent, distressing GERD’ (14%) experienced both physical and psychological impact and were worried about the recurrent, restrictive nature of their disease or the possibility of having a more serious underlying condition. Patients with ‘inconveniencing GERD’ (48%) had less frequent symptoms with overall lower impact. Overall, there was a trend for GI specialists to more likely see patients at higher clinical need than PCPs. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with GERD can generally be classified according to the physical and psychological impact of their disease. Recognition that such patients have different needs may facilitate improved management of GERD by allowing treatment to be tailored according to the patient's need.