Quality of life measurement in the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease

QOL measurement is being reported with increasing frequency in the surgical literature. The authors have found, as have others, that the use ofa generic instrument such as the SF36 in combination with a disease-specific instrument will provide the most comprehensive information. GERD isa significant health problem that primarily affects the QOL of a large segment of the population. New therapies for GERD continue to be developed and introduced into clinical practice. QOL assessment should bean important part of the evaluation of these new therapies.