Clinical characteristics of refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease in elderly patients

Objects To evaluate the clinical characteristics of with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in elderly patients. Methods A total of 273 elderly GERD patients diagnosed by Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chinese PLA General Hospital during May 2015 to April 2017, were enrolled and divided into effective group (n=192) and refractory group (n=81) according to the therapeutic effect of proton pump inhibitor (PPI). These patients were evaluated by a GQ questionnaire and a personal interview regarding to their demographics, co-mobidity, symptoms and endoscopic findings. Results Totally 273 patients were enrolled in this research (72.6±7.5years, 176 males, 97 females). There were no significant differences in age, gender, current smoking and drinking between the two groups. Body mass index (BMI) and the proportion of patients with diabetes mellitus or depression were significantly higher in the refractory group than in the effective group. Furthermore, the patients who were treated wit