[QOL of Japanese patients with GERD].

Gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD) has been reported to be a pathological condition that decreases quality of life(QOL) of patients because of the various troublesome symptoms. To measure QOL, generic and disease specific instruments have been used in western countries. In Japan, some of these instruments are translated into the Japanese and are used for the measurement of QOL of various diseases. QOL of the Japanese patients with GERD are measured with the Japanese version of SF-36 and GSRS. As reported in western countries, QOL of the Japan patients with GERD are reported to be significantly decreased in comparison with those of healthy individuals.