{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,13]],"date-time":"2026-02-13T21:03:44Z","timestamp":1771016624367,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":34,"publisher":"BMJ","issue":"4","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Gut"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[1996,4]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>BACKGROUND--Although oesophagitis is the most common diagnosis made at upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, data on the longterm outcome of affected patients are sparse. AIMS--This study assessed the level of reflux symptoms, quality of life, drug consumption, and complications in patients at least 10 years after diagnosis of oesophagitis at one centre. PATIENTS--One hundred and fifty two patients with typical reflux symptoms and a first time diagnosis by endoscopy of grade I-III oesophagitis between 1981 and 1984, were followed up using a postal questionnaire and telephone interview. RESULTS--Eighteen of 152 patients had died, 33 failed to respond, and 101 replied (mean follow up 11 years, range 121-160 months). Over 70% of patients still had heartburn at least daily (32%) or weekly (19%) or required daily acid suppression treatment (20%). Two patients (2%) had developed oesophageal strictures and one had Barrett's oesophagus. Two of eight quality of life scores (physical function and social function) measured by the Short Form-36 were significantly lower than Northern Ireland population scores. CONCLUSION--Nearly three quarters of patients previously diagnosed as having oesophagitis still had significant morbidity related to gastro-oesophageal reflux disease more than 10 years after diagnosis. Some quality of life scores were significantly lower than those of the general population.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1136\/gut.38.4.481","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2007,9,18]],"date-time":"2007-09-18T17:41:31Z","timestamp":1190137291000},"page":"481-486","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":166,"title":["Natural history of reflux oesophagitis: a 10 year follow up of its effect on patient symptomatology and quality of life."],"prefix":"10.1136","volume":"38","author":[{"given":"N I","family":"McDougall","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"B T","family":"Johnston","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"F","family":"Kee","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"J S","family":"Collins","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"R J","family":"McFarland","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"A H","family":"Love","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"239","published-online":{"date-parts":[[1996,4,1]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","first-page":"953","article-title":"Symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux: incidence and precipitating factors","volume":"21","author":"Nebel, O.T.; Fornes, M.F.; Castell, D.O.","year":"1976","unstructured":"Nebel OT, Fornes MF, Castell DO. Symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux: incidence and precipitating factors. Am _JDigDis 1976; 21: 953-6.","journal-title":"Am _JDigDis"},{"key":"ref_2","first-page":"46","article-title":"Heartburn and globus in apparently healthy people","volume":"126","author":"Thompson, W.G.; Heaton, K.W.","year":"1982","unstructured":"Thompson WG, Heaton KW. Heartburn and globus in apparently healthy people. Can Med Assoc J 1982; 126: 46-8.","journal-title":"Can Med Assoc J"},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"9","DOI":"10.1016\/S0016-5085(76)80088-1","article-title":"Evaluation of esophageal tests in the diagnosis of reflux esophagitis","volume":"71","author":"Behar, J.; Biancani, P.; Sheahan, D.G.","year":"1976","unstructured":"Behar J, Biancani P, Sheahan DG. Evaluation of esophageal tests in the diagnosis of reflux esophagitis. Gastroenterology 1976; 71: 9-15.","journal-title":"Gastroenterology"},{"key":"ref_4","first-page":"837","article-title":"Oesophagitis, signs of reflux and gastric acid secretion in patients with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease","volume":"21","author":"Johansson, K.-E.; Ask, P.; Boeryd, B.; Fransson, S.-G.; Tibbling, L.","year":"1986","unstructured":"Johansson K-E, Ask P, Boeryd B, Fransson S-G, Tibbling L. Oesophagitis, signs of reflux and gastric acid secretion in patients with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease. ScandJ3 Gastroenterol 1986; 21: 837-47."},{"key":"ref_5","first-page":"72","article-title":"The symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux and of oesophagitis","volume":"106","author":"Knill-Jones, R.P.; Card, W.I.; Crean, G.P.; James, W.B.; Spiegelhalter, D.J.","year":"1984","unstructured":"Knill-Jones RP, Card WI, Crean GP, James WB, Spiegelhalter DJ. The symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux and of oesophagitis. ScandJ3 Gastroenterol 1984; 19 (suppl 106): 72-6."},{"key":"ref_6","first-page":"101","article-title":"Pathogenesis of esophagitis in patients with gastroesophageal reflux","volume":"88","author":"Little, A.G.; De Meester, T.R.; Kirchner, P.T.; O'Sullivan, G.C.; Skinner, D.B.","year":"1980","unstructured":"Little AG, De Meester TR, Kirchner PT, O'Sullivan GC, Skinner DB. Pathogenesis of esophagitis in patients with gastroesophageal reflux. Surgery 1980; 88: 101-7.","journal-title":"Surgery"},{"issue":"156","key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"7","DOI":"10.3109\/00365528909091032","article-title":"Epidemiology of reflux disease and reflux esophagitis","volume":"24","author":"Wienbeck, M.; Bamert, J.","year":"1989","unstructured":"Wienbeck M, Bamert J. Epidemiology of reflux disease and reflux esophagitis. Scand Jr Gastroenterol 1989; 24 (suppl 156): 7-13.","journal-title":"Scand Jr Gastroenterol"},{"issue":"1","key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"24","DOI":"10.1159\/000200911","article-title":"Epidemiology and natural history of gastrooesophageal reflux disease","volume":"51","author":"Spechler, S.J.","year":"1992","unstructured":"Spechler SJ. Epidemiology and natural history of gastrooesophageal reflux disease. Digestion 1992; 51 (suppl 1): 24-9.","journal-title":"Digestion"},{"issue":"1","key":"ref_9","first-page":"3","article-title":"The natural history, prevalence and incidence of reflux oesophagitis","volume":"3","author":"Ollyo, J.B.; Monnier, P.; Fontolliet, C.; Savary, M.","year":"1993","unstructured":"Ollyo JB, Monnier P, Fontolliet C, Savary M. The natural history, prevalence and incidence of reflux oesophagitis. Gullet 1993; 3 (suppl 1): 3-10.","journal-title":"Gullet"},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"845","DOI":"10.1136\/gut.32.8.845","article-title":"Natural history of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease without oesophagitis","volume":"32","author":"Pace, F.; Santalucia, F.; Bianchi Porro, G.","year":"1991","unstructured":"Pace F, Santalucia F, Bianchi Porro G. Natural history of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease without oesophagitis. Gut 1991; 32: 845-8.","journal-title":"Gut"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1016","DOI":"10.1136\/gut.33.8.1016","article-title":"Three year follow-up of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease","volume":"33","author":"Shindlbeck, N.E.; Klauser, A.G.; Berghammer, G.; Londong, W.; Muller-Lissner, S.A.","year":"1992","unstructured":"Shindlbeck NE, Klauser AG, Berghammer G, Londong W, Muller-Lissner SA. Three year follow-up of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Gut 1992; 33: 1016-9.","journal-title":"Gut"},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1717","DOI":"10.1001\/archinte.1987.00370100031006","article-title":"Medical therapy for chronic reflux eosphagitis. Long-term follow-up","volume":"147","author":"Lieberman, D.A.","year":"1987","unstructured":"Lieberman DA. Medical therapy for chronic reflux eosphagitis. Long-term follow-up. Arch Intern Med 1987; 147: 1717-20.","journal-title":"Arch Intern Med"},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1305","DOI":"10.1016\/0016-5085(94)90531-2","article-title":"Omeprazole or ranitidine in long-term treatment of reflux esophagitis","volume":"107","author":"Hallerback, B.; Unge, P.; Carling, L.; Edwin, B.; Glise, H.; Havu, H.","year":"1994","unstructured":"Hallerback B, Unge P, Carling L, Edwin B, Glise H, Havu H, et al. Omeprazole or ranitidine in long-term treatment of reflux esophagitis. Gastroenterology 1994; 107: 1305-11.","journal-title":"Gastroenterology"},{"key":"ref_14","first-page":"1258","article-title":"Daily omeprazole is needed to maintain healing in erosive esophagitis","volume":"87","author":"Sontag, S.; Robinson, M.; Roufail, W.; Berman, R.; Berlin, R.; Berger, M.","year":"1992","unstructured":"Sontag S, Robinson M, Roufail W, Berman R, Berlin R, Berger M, et al. Daily omeprazole is needed to maintain healing in erosive esophagitis. Am Jf Gastroenterol 1992; 87: A1258.","journal-title":"Am Jf Gastroenterol"},{"issue":"166","key":"ref_15","first-page":"76","article-title":"Evaluation of omeprazole in reflux oesophagitis. ScandJ3 Gastroenterol","volume":"24","author":"Dent, J.; Hetzel, D.J.; Mackinnon, M.A.; Reed, W.D.; Narielvala, F.M.","year":"1989","unstructured":"Dent J, Hetzel DJ, Mackinnon MA, Reed WD, Narielvala FM. Evaluation of omeprazole in reflux oesophagitis. ScandJ3 Gastroenterol 1989; 24 (suppl 166): 76-82."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"248","DOI":"10.3109\/00365529109025038","article-title":"Prevention of relapse of reflux esophagitis after endoscopic healing: the efficacy and safety of omeprazole compared with ranitidine","volume":"26","author":"true","year":"1991","unstructured":"Lundell L, Backman L, Ekstrom P, Enander L-K, Falkmer S, Fausa 0, et al. Prevention of relapse of reflux esophagitis after endoscopic healing: the efficacy and safety of omeprazole compared with ranitidine. Scand J Gastroenterol 1991; 26: 248-56.","journal-title":"Scand J Gastroenterol"},{"key":"ref_17","first-page":"1198","article-title":"Healing and relapse of reflux esophagitis during","volume-title":"treatment with ranitidine. Gastroenterology 1986; 91","author":"Koelz, H.R.; Birchler, R.; Bretholz, A.; Bron, B.; Capitaine, Y.; Delmore, G.","unstructured":"Koelz HR, Birchler R, Bretholz A, Bron B, Capitaine Y, Delmore G, et al. Healing and relapse of reflux esophagitis during treatment with ranitidine. Gastroenterology 1986; 91: 1198-205."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"590","DOI":"10.1136\/gut.35.5.590","article-title":"Omeprazole vs ranitidine for prevention of relapse in reflux oesophagitis. A controlled double blind trial of their efficacy and safety","volume":"35","author":"Dent, J.; Yeomans, N.D.; Mackinnon, M.; Reed, W.; Narielvala, F.M.; Hetzel, D.J.","year":"1994","unstructured":"Dent J, Yeomans ND, Mackinnon M, Reed W, Narielvala FM, Hetzel DJ, et al. Omeprazole vs ranitidine for prevention of relapse in reflux oesophagitis. A controlled double blind trial of their efficacy and safety. Gut 1994; 35: 590-8.","journal-title":"Gut"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1437","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.306.6890.1437","article-title":"Short form 36 (SF36) health survey questionnaire: normative data for adults of working age","volume":"306","author":"Jenkinson, C.; Coulter, A.; Wright, L.","year":"1993","unstructured":"Jenkinson C, Coulter A, Wright L. Short form 36 (SF36) health survey questionnaire: normative data for adults of working age. BMJ 1993; 306: 1437-40.","journal-title":"BMJ"},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1440","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.306.6890.1440","article-title":"The SF36 health survey questionnaire: an outcome measure suitable for routine use within the NHS?","volume":"306","author":"Garratt, A.M.; Ruta, D.A.; Abdalla, M.I.; Buckingham, J.K.; Russell, I.T.","year":"1993","unstructured":"Garratt AM, Ruta DA, Abdalla MI, Buckingham JK, Russell IT. The SF36 health survey questionnaire: an outcome measure suitable for routine use within the NHS? BMJA 1993; 306: 1440-4.","journal-title":"BMJA"},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"160","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.305.6846.160","article-title":"Validating the SF-36 health survey questionnaire: new outcome measure for primary care","volume":"305","author":"Brazier, J.E.; Harper, R.; Jones, N.M.B.; O'Cathain, A.; Thomas, K.J.; Usherwood, T.","year":"1992","unstructured":"Brazier JE, Harper R, Jones NMB, O'Cathain A, Thomas KJ, Usherwood T, et al. Validating the SF-36 health survey questionnaire: new outcome measure for primary care. BMJt 1992; 305: 160-4.","journal-title":"BMJt"},{"issue":"178","key":"ref_22","first-page":"27","article-title":"Esophageal hiatal hernia - a 10-year study of medically treated cases","volume":"1961","author":"Rex, J.C.; Andersen, H.A.; Bartholomew, L.G.; Cain, J.C.","unstructured":"Rex JC, Andersen HA, Bartholomew LG, Cain JC. Esophageal hiatal hernia - a 10-year study of medically treated cases. JAMA 1961; 178: 27 1-4.","journal-title":"JAMA"},{"key":"ref_23","first-page":"566","article-title":"The hiatus hernia - esophagitis - esophageal stricture complex","volume":"44","author":"Palmer, E.D.","year":"1968","unstructured":"Palmer ED. The hiatus hernia - esophagitis - esophageal stricture complex. AmJZMed 1968; 44: 566-79.","journal-title":"AmJZMed"},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"8","DOI":"10.1136\/gut.35.1.8","article-title":"Predictive factors of the long term outcome in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: six year follow up of 107 patients","volume":"35","author":"Kuster, E.; Ros, E.; Toledo-Pimentel, V.; Pujol, A.; Bordas, J.M.; Grande, L.","year":"1994","unstructured":"Kuster E, Ros E, Toledo-Pimentel V, Pujol A, Bordas JM, Grande L, et al. Predictive factors of the long term outcome in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: six year follow up of 107 patients. Gut 1994; 35: 8-14.","journal-title":"Gut"},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"161","DOI":"10.7326\/0003-4819-121-3-199408010-00001","article-title":"Long-term treatment with omeprazole for refractory reflux esophagitis: efficacy and safety","volume":"121","author":"Klinkenberg-Knol, E.C.; Festen, H.P.M.; Jansen, J.B.M.J.; Lamers, C.B.H.W.; Nelis, F.; Snel, P.","year":"1994","unstructured":"Klinkenberg-Knol EC, Festen HPM, Jansen JBMJ, Lamers CBHW, Nelis F, Snel P, et al. Long-term treatment with omeprazole for refractory reflux esophagitis: efficacy and safety. Ann Intern Med 1994; 121: 161-7.","journal-title":"Ann Intern Med"},{"issue":"1","key":"ref_26","first-page":"31","article-title":"Diagnosis and assessment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease","volume":"3","author":"Armstrong, D.; Fraser, R.","year":"1993","unstructured":"Armstrong D, Fraser R. Diagnosis and assessment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Gullet 1993; 3 (suppl 1): 31-41.","journal-title":"Gullet"},{"issue":"5","key":"ref_27","first-page":"13","article-title":"The effect of healing of oesophagitis on patient quality of life","volume":"35","author":"McDougall, N.I.; Johnston, B.T.; Kee, F.; Collins, J.S.A.; McFarland, R.J.; Watson, R.G.P.","year":"1994","unstructured":"McDougall NI, Johnston BT, Kee F, Collins JSA, McFarland RJ, Watson RGP, et al. The effect of healing of oesophagitis on patient quality of life. Gut 1994; 35 (suppl 5): S13.","journal-title":"Gut"},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"263","DOI":"10.1056\/NEJM197508072930602","article-title":"Medical and surgical management of reflux esophagitis: a 38-month report on a prospective clinical trial","volume":"293","author":"Behar, J.; Sheahan, D.G.; Biancani, P.; Spiro, H.M.; Storer, E.H.","year":"1975","unstructured":"Behar J, Sheahan DG, Biancani P, Spiro HM, Storer EH. Medical and surgical management of reflux esophagitis: a 38-month report on a prospective clinical trial. N Engl Jf Med 1975; 293: 263-8.","journal-title":"N Engl Jf Med"},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"786","DOI":"10.1056\/NEJM199203193261202","article-title":"Comparison of medical and surgery therapy for complicated gastroesophageal reflux disease in veterans","volume":"326","author":"Spechler, S.J.","year":"1992","unstructured":"Spechler SJ. Comparison of medical and surgery therapy for complicated gastroesophageal reflux disease in veterans. N EnglJ Med 1992; 326: 786-92.","journal-title":"N EnglJ Med"},{"key":"ref_30","first-page":"9","article-title":"Nissen fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease: evaluation of primary repair in 100 consecutive patients","volume":"204","author":"DeMeester, T.R.; Bonavina, L.; Albertolucci, M.","year":"1986","unstructured":"DeMeester TR, Bonavina L, Albertolucci M. Nissen fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease: evaluation of primary repair in 100 consecutive patients. Ann Surg 1986; 204: 9-20."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"523","DOI":"10.1007\/BF01307574","article-title":"Long-term results of Nissen fundoplication in reflux esophagitis without strictures. Clinical, endoscopic, and pH-metric evaluation","volume":"37","author":"LFM, De Haro; A, Ortiz; P, Parrilla; JAG, Marcilla; JL, Aguayo; G, Morales","year":"1992","unstructured":"De Haro LFM, Ortiz A, Parrilla P, Marcilla JAG, Aguayo JL, Morales G. Long-term results of Nissen fundoplication in reflux esophagitis without strictures. Clinical, endoscopic, and pH-metric evaluation. Dig Dis Sci 1992; 37: 523-7.","journal-title":"Dig Dis Sci"},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1015","DOI":"10.1136\/gut.34.8.1015","article-title":"Fate of Nissen fundoplication after 20 years. A clinical, endoscopical, and functional analysis","volume":"34","author":"true","year":"1993","unstructured":"Luostarinen M, Isolauri J, Laitinen J, Koskinen M, Keyrilainen 0, Markkula H, et al. Fate of Nissen fundoplication after 20 years. A clinical, endoscopical, and functional analysis. Gut 1993; 34: 1015-20.","journal-title":"Gut"},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"635","DOI":"10.1016\/0002-9610(83)90301-X","article-title":"Nissen fundoplication: results at 10 year follow-up","volume":"146","year":"1983","unstructured":"Negre JB, Markkula HT, Keyrilainen 0, Markkula M. Nissen fundoplication: results at 10 year follow-up. Am J Surg 1983; 146: 635-8.","journal-title":"Am J Surg"},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1393","DOI":"10.1016\/0016-5085(79)90407-4","article-title":"Esophageal symptoms, manometry and histology before and after antireflux surgery: a long term follow up study","volume":"76","author":"Brand, D.L.; Eastwood, I.R.; Martin, D.; Carter, W.B.; Pope, C.E.","year":"1979","unstructured":"Brand DL, Eastwood IR, Martin D, Carter WB, Pope CE. Esophageal symptoms, manometry and histology before and after antireflux surgery: a long term follow up study. Gastroenterology 1979; 76: 1393-401.","journal-title":"Gastroenterology"}],"container-title":["Gut"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/syndication.highwire.org\/content\/doi\/10.1136\/gut.38.4.481","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,13]],"date-time":"2025-12-13T12:19:41Z","timestamp":1765628381000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/gut.bmj.com\/lookup\/doi\/10.1136\/gut.38.4.481"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[1996,4]]},"references-count":34,"journal-issue":{"issue":"4","published-online":{"date-parts":[[1996,4,1]]},"published-print":{"date-parts":[[1996,4]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1136\/gut.38.4.481"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/gut.38.4.481","relation":{},"ISSN":["0017-5749","1468-3288"],"issn-type":[{"value":"0017-5749","type":"print"},{"value":"1468-3288","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[1996,4]]}}}