Overview
This retrospective, observational cohort study aimed to establish a comprehensive research cohort utilizing a large-scale prospective clinical registry. The primary objectives were to characterize the real-world demographic profiles, clinical features, psychological characteristics, and treatment patterns of Chinese patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), as well as to evaluate post-treatment improvements in both GERD symptoms and psychological well-being. The study retrospectively enrolled approximately 5,000 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of GERD, with data derived from the prospective registry of the National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases. Investigators systematically extracted data on baseline demographics, clinical presentations, objective diagnostic findings, preoperative psychological status, surgical complications, and longitudinal follow-up outcomes for all eligible patients. Ultimately, this study sought to provide high-quality, China-specific evidence to inform the precise phenotyping of GERD and to guide standardized, individualized clinical decision-making.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Aged between 18 and 90 years old.
- Patients were required to present with at least one typical symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)-such as heartburn, regurgitation, or non-cardiac chest pain-and to have presented to Beijing Friendship Hospital for the evaluation and management of these symptoms.
- Received treatment, including pharmacological therapy and anti-reflux surgery, at Beijing Friendship Hospital.
- Voluntary signing of informed consent, agreeing to the use of clinical information for future research.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Female patients who were pregnant or lactating.
- Patients with significantly incomplete or missing critical clinical data.
- Patients with an equivocal or unconfirmed diagnosis of GERD.
- Current neurologic or cognitive impairment, which would preclude ability to obtain informed consent.
- Refusal to participate in the study.
