Lifestyle modification counseling in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease

The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of documented counseling on lifestyle modifications in patients presenting to the primary care setting with a diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Retrospective chart review was conducted for 502 active patients with a primary or secondary diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease from two internal medicine clinics at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita. Charts were reviewed for documented counseling on four specific lifestyle modifications: (a) smoking and alcohol cessation, (b) dietary changes, (c) head of bed elevation, and (e) postprandial avoidance of recumbency. Only 12% of patients in this sample received documented counseling on lifestyle modifications. Of those patients receiving documented counseling, 71% were counseled on dietary changes, 41% smoking or alcohol cessation, 28% head of bed elevation, and 21% postprandial avoidance of recumbency. Documentation indicated that patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease are not adequately counseled regarding recommended lifestyle modifications.