H. Glise et al., QUALITY-OF-LIFE ASSESSMENTS IN THE EVALUATION OF GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX AND PEPTIC-ULCER DISEASE BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER TREATMENT, Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology, 30, 1995, pp. 133-135
Background: It has recently been suggested that Quality of Life (QOL)
be used in the evaluation of new medical treatment regimens together w
ith cost-benefit, efficacy and safety. In this overview we point out s
ome aspects of use of the Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWB
) in patients with peptic ulcer and reflux disease gained from our own
investigations in later years. Methods: QOL was assessed using questi
onnaires before diagnosis, during medical healing treatment and at a 1
-year follow-up in peptic ulcer disease or before and after surgery in
reflux disease. Results: Untreated patients with unknown diagnosis ha
d low QOL scores. With treatment, scores increased rapidly to supernor
mal Values and fell off to normal values during the follow-up year. Co
nclusion: QOL evaluations seem sensitive and reflect the patient's sub
jective feeling of disease. They add another new aspect of treatment e
ffect not earlier included in treatment evaluations.