Key Findings

The study, "The Experience of Frequent Heartburn in America, 2009,"* showed that frequent heartburn is often on the minds of those who suffer.

  • 62% of frequent heartburn sufferers thought about their heartburn multiple times a day.
  • Almost 75% of those with moderate-to-severe frequent heartburn pain thought about it multiple times a week.
  • And of that 75%, almost one-third of them thought about their heartburn at least once a day.

Fatigue >
Impact on Family, Friends and Relationships >
Impact on Work >
Frequent Heartburn Limits Engagement in Social Activities >
Changes in Diet and Beverage Consumption >
Self-Perception >

Fatigue

The symptoms of frequent heartburn can become worse when one lies down to go to sleep at night, disrupting a full night's sleep.

Of all the frequent heartburn sufferers surveyed:

  • About 75% experienced some sleep problems — either problems falling asleep or staying asleep because of their frequent heartburn.
  • More than 60% reported feeling some fatigue — either tired, sleepy, sluggish, or drowsy because of their frequent heartburn.

Of those with moderate-to-severe frequent heartburn pain:

  • 88% had some problems falling or staying asleep as a result of their frequent heartburn.

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Impact on Family, Friends and Relationships

This study shows that living with frequent heartburn is not only physically painful, it also can affect personal relationships, making it hard to enjoy social activities with family and friends, quality time with children, and intimate moments with a loved one.

Of all the frequent heartburn sufferers surveyed:

  • Over 40% experienced some family relationship issues due to their frequent heartburn.

Of those with moderate-to-severe frequent heartburn pain:

  • 44% experienced some family relationship problems because of their frequent heartburn.
  • Over half (54%) reported that their frequent heartburn affected their sex life.

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Impact on Work

According to the study, frequent heartburn can affect sufferers at work, impacting their ability to focus during meetings and their overall ability to be productive at the office.

Of all the frequent heartburn sufferers surveyed:

  • Over half (52%) experienced some presenteeism* problems because of their frequent heartburn.
  • Almost 40% experienced some negative effect on work because of their frequent heartburn.

Of those with moderate-to-severe frequent heartburn pain:

  • More than 50% of people said they have difficulty concentrating at work because of their frequent heartburn.
  • 60% reported their heartburn affects their ability to join colleagues for lunch because of their frequent heartburn.
* Presenteeism is defined as lost productivity due to employees actually showing up for work, but not being fully engaged and productive. It is measured by their ability to focus during meetings, interaction with co-workers, ability to join colleagues for lunch, ability to focus during important conversations and overall ability to be productive at work.

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Frequent Heartburn Can Limit Engagement in Social Activities

Socializing with family and friends and engaging in hobbies and activities are ways to relieve stress and feel fulfilled, but the study found that frequent heartburn sufferers aren't always able to enjoy social activities to the fullest.

Of all the frequent heartburn sufferers surveyed:

  • 48% reported that their frequent heartburn interfered with daily activities.*

Of those with moderate-to-severe frequent heartburn pain:

  • For 67%, frequent heartburn has kept them from doing the kinds of things other people their age do.
* Interference with daily activities was measured by interference with their normal social activities with family, friends, neighbors or groups; their normal physical activities, including sports; and their ability to do work or housework.

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Changes in Diet and Beverage Consumption

Americans connect with friends and family by going out to eat, meeting over coffee, or grabbing a drink after work. But the study demonstrated that frequent heartburn sufferers can feel like they are forced to eliminate certain foods and drinks because of frequent heartburn pain.

Of all the frequent heartburn sufferers surveyed:

  • More than 80% reported that their frequent heartburn leads to some changes in diet.

Of those with moderate/severe frequent heartburn pain:

  • Almost 70% reported some change in beverage consumption due to their frequent heartburn.

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Self-Perception

According to the study, frequent heartburn can also affect how sufferers perceive themselves.

Of all the frequent heartburn sufferers surveyed:

  • Over 40% reported that it affected their self-perception due to their frequent heartburn.

Of those with moderate-to-severe frequent heartburn pain:

  • In the past month, 85% felt anxious or concerned about their frequent heartburn.
  • In the past week, fewer than 39% felt happy, 71% felt tired, and 61% felt downhearted because of their frequent heartburn.
  • During the past week, 75% said their frequent heartburn affected their energy level.

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* The Experience of Frequent Heartburn in America, July 2009: Research conducted by the Center for Health Outcomes Research & Evidence Based Medicine, LLC and United BioSource Corporation. This study was funded by Novartis Consumer Health, Inc.

The study was fielded in July 2009 among a statistically representative sample of 1,075 frequent heartburn sufferers nationwide. Of the 1,075 respondents, 497 reported that their frequent heartburn pain was moderate to severe.
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About the study. Heartburn in America

The study* was fielded in July 2009 among a statistically representative sample of frequent heartburn sufferers nationwide, including those with self-reported severe to moderate heartburn pain. The study was conducted by the Center for Health Outcomes Research and Evidence Based Medicine, LLC and United BioSource Corporation. The study was designed to measure and validate the quality of life impact that frequent heartburn currently can have on sufferers. The study was funded by Novartis Consumer Health, Inc.

Prior to fielding the study, the researchers consulted with four leading experts in their fields — M. Brian Fennerty, MD, Professor of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University; Michael Farber, MD, Medical Director, Executive Health, Hackensack University Medical Center; David Ferguson, PhD, MD, FACCP, Clinical Research Consultant; and Jean Fourcroy, MD, PhD, MPH, Urologist — to confirm that the study examined the full breadth of frequent heartburn sufferers' experiences.

This study's findings reveal the significant impact that frequent heartburn can have on sufferers' quality of life. Specifically, the study demonstrates that frequent heartburn can affect sufferers' work, sexual relationships, sleep, family relationships, food choices, and overall self perception. findings were named "The Experience of Frequent Heartburn in America, 2009."

* The Experience of Frequent Heartburn in America, July 2009: Research conducted by the Center for Health Outcomes Research & Evidence Based Medicine, LLC and United BioSource Corporation. This study was funded by Novartis Consumer Health, Inc.

The study was fielded in July 2009 among a statistically representative sample of 1,075 frequent heartburn sufferers nationwide. Of the 1,075 respondents, 497 reported that their frequent heartburn pain was moderate to severe.
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