The prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease based on non-specific symptoms in institutionalized, intellectually disabled individuals.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) in randomly selected, institutionalized, intellectually disabled individuals (IQ < 50) in The Netherlands is high. DESIGN: In this study we investigated the prevalence of GORD and reflux oesophagitis (RO) in intellectually disabled individuals specifically selected for symptoms such as: behavioural difficulties such as automutilation, food refusal, fear and restlessness, vomiting, regurgitation and rumination. Predisposing factors were also evaluated. METHODS: One hundred and ten individuals from one institute underwent a 24-h oesophageal pH test and were scored for predisposing factors and non-specific reflux symptoms. A pathological pH test was defined as a pH lower than 4 more than 4.5% of the measured time. Subjects with a pathological pH test (patients) were compared to those with a normal pH test (controls). RESULTS: In seven cases (6.4%) the test failed for technical reasons. In 57 (55.3%) cases a pathological pH test was found. RO was diagnosed in 33 (64.7%) patients. The use of anticonvulsant drugs and cerebral palsy appeared to be predisposing factors, while the non-specific reflux symptoms did not discriminate for GORD. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of GORD was equal in a randomly selected group of intellectually disabled individuals, and in this group, specifically selected on account of possible reflux symptoms. This study confirms that in this particular group, it is nearly impossible to discriminate for the diagnosis of GORD on non-specific reflux symptoms only. However, GORD may be suspected where there are certain predisposing factors, particularly cerebral palsy and use of anticonvulsant drugs.)