Assessment of Severity of Gastroesophageal Reflux Using Reflux Symptom Index

Introduction The reflux of gastric contents from the stomach to the esophagus is referred to as gastroesophageal reflux (GER). This reflux happens due to the weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) a valve for the esophagus and stomach. Domination of classic symptoms such as heart burn and acid regurgitation contribute to the diagnosis of GERD. Several questionnaires have been devised to screen individuals with GERD and their quality of life Materials and methods. Reflux Symptom Index is one such self assessment tool that can be utilized in accounting for the quality of life in individuals with GERD. It is a nine item self rated questionnaire used in monitoring the severity of gastro esophageal reflux (GERD) and its effects of day to day functioning. . Its an Observational Questionnaire Based Study on 96 individuals diagnosed with GERD, done by Non random convenient sampling. Results Our study reported that this easily administered tool was highly reproducible, with a good construct based and criterion-based validity. It was not only able to account for the severity in tandem with the severity of GERD diagnosed but was also significant in highlighting the GERD symptoms of prime importance Conclusion. RSI is a self-administered nine-item tool used for the assessment of the initial symptoms and the efficacy of treatment of LPR/ GERD patients. RSI when administered can help identify symptoms and it should be extensively used in patients diagnosed with GERD/ LPR to monitor the need for associated symptom based rehabilitation.