The Impact of Gastroesophageal Reflux on the Quality of Life: About a Series of 100 Patients at Fez University Hospital

The gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) represents a major problem for public health because of its high prevalence. The chronic character of the symptoms can have a very important impact on the quality of life (QoL). The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of the GERD on the quality of life of our patients and to determine the main aggravating factors. Patients and Methods: This is a cross-sectional, observational study of 100 patients presenting signs of GERD in the gastroenterology department of the university medical center Hassan II-Fez, for a period of 3 months (October to December 2014). We used the Reflux-Qual short form (RQS&#174) to evaluate the QoL of our patients. Results: Over the study period, 100 patients were included. The average age of our patients was 47 years [20 - 75 years] with a sex-ratio F/M in 2.12. Among our patients, 20% (n = 20) were chronic cigarette smokers. The diagnosis of GERD was clinical in 75% of the cases (n = 75) and based on 24-hour pH monitoring in the remaining 25% (n = 25). Approximately 2/3 of the patients were receiving proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) treatment at the time of the questionnaire. The impairment of QoL was moderated to severe (RQS&#174 p = 0.01), female sex (p = 0.03) and the frequency of symptoms (p = 0.001). Moreover, patients having a GERD that requiring a daily and continuous administration of PPIs had a lower index of RQS&#174 (p = 0.001). The quality of life impairment was not associated with chronic cigarette smoking (p = 0.3). Conclusion: The impairment of the QoL was moderated to severe (RQS&#174 < 16) for 2/3 of the patients (n = 62). This impairment was associated with elderly, female sex, frequency and in case of GERD requiring continuous administration of PPIs.

Endoscopic Treatment of Esophageal Achalasia: Experience of the Hepato-Gastroenterology Service of Fez

The achalasia is a rare primary esophageal motor disorder characterized by relaxation disorders of the lower esophageal sphincter and absence of the esophageal body peristalsis. Several studies suggest that the response to the endoscopic treatment depends on several predictors. The aim of our study was to evaluate the endoscopic treatment of esophageal achalasia and identify the predictive factors of endoscopic treatment response. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective analytical study of 78 patients with achalasia, managed in the gastroenterology department of the university medical center Hassan II-Fez, during a period of 5 years (January 2009 to December 2014). The diagnosis of achalasia was retained on a set of clinical, endoscopic, manometric and radiological arguments. A graded dilation protocol starting with a 35 mm balloon three times for 30 seconds in progressive pressure between 5 and 8 psi was performed. We used the Eckardt score to evaluate the clinical remission. Results: During the study period, 78 patients were included. The average age of our patients was 47 years old [18 - 81] with a sex-ratio M/F of 1.05. The average of Eckardt score before dilation was 5.9 [3 - 9]. An average of 1.41 dilation sessions was performed per patient with 85.9% of the initial success rate (n = 67). Initial success without further dilation sessions was achieved in 55.1% of our patients (n = 43). A clinical recurrence requiring further dilation sessions was observed in 30.8% of the cases (n = 24). The average relapse time after first dilation success was 2.7 years, 75% occurs within the first year. Dilation failure was retained in 14 patients (17.9%) requiring surgery. Only one post-dilation perforation was noted. In multivariate analysis, only odynophagia and the number of dilatation sessions were factors of failure of the endoscopic dilation. Conclusion: Pneumatic dilation is a minimally morbid and effective procedure. Our work showed that odynophagia, and the number of dilation sessions, are two predictive factors of endoscopic treatment failure.