Experience of Frequent Heartburn in
America, 2009
A national study of 1,075 frequent heartburn sufferers
It's a fact that more than 50 million adults in the United States suffer from frequent heartburn1, which is defined as heartburn that occurs two or more days per week. It's also a fact that frequent heartburn can be very painful resulting in a burning sensation in the chest or throat, a sour or bitter taste in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, chronic coughing and wheezing or other asthma-like symptoms.
In addition to being painful, frequent heartburn can also significantly affect sufferers' quality of life, as demonstrated by the findings of a first-of-its-kind study.
The Experience of Frequent Heartburn in America, 20092 Study was a national study of 1,075 frequent heartburn sufferers, conducted by Center for Health Outcomes Research & Evidence Based Medicine, LLC and United BioSource Corporation in consultation with leading physicians and gastroenterologists. The study was designed to measure and validate the quality of life impact that frequent heartburn currently can have on sufferers.
The study demonstrated that frequent heartburn can significantly impact many aspects of sufferers' lives, including their ability to get a good night's sleep, be productive at work, have positive personal relationships and enjoy social activities In fact, the study showed that the more severe frequent heartburn pain is, the greater the impact it can have on sufferers' quality of life. The study was funded by Novartis Consumer Health, Inc.
To field a best-in-class study that would reveal how frequent heartburn impacts the lives of sufferers, the researchers developed a scientifically rigorous protocol that included conducting a literature review and evaluating existing validated research instruments, as well as interviewing frequent heartburn sufferers to explore and understand their experience of their condition.
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 and scientist " to confirm that the study examined the full breadth of frequent heartburn sufferers' experiences. Finally, the researchers tested the study with additional frequent heartburn sufferers to assure the questionnaire was easy to understand and reflected their experiences.
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 or severe. 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.
Experience of Frequent Heartburn in America, 2009 Key Findings
The study showed that for frequent heartburn sufferers, their heartburn is often on their minds. Sixty-two percent of frequent heartburn sufferers thought about their heartburn multiple times a week. Of those with moderate to severe frequent heartburn pain, 75% thought about it multiple times a week, while almost one-third of them thought about their heartburn at least once a day.
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.
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.
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.
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 able to enjoy social activities to the fullest.
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 feel like they are forced to eliminate certain foods and drinks because of frequent heartburn pain.
According to the Experience of Frequent Heartburn in America, 2009 study, frequent heartburn can also affect how sufferers perceive themselves.
It's a fact that more than 50 million adults in the United States suffer from frequent heartburn1, which is defined as heartburn that occurs two or more days per week. It's also a fact that frequent heartburn can be very painful resulting in a burning sensation in the chest or throat, a sour or bitter taste in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, chronic coughing and wheezing or other asthma-like symptoms.
In addition to being painful, frequent heartburn can also significantly affect sufferers' quality of life, as demonstrated by the findings of a first-of-its-kind study.
The Experience of Frequent Heartburn in America, 20092 Study was a national study of 1,075 frequent heartburn sufferers, conducted by Center for Health Outcomes Research & Evidence Based Medicine, LLC and United BioSource Corporation in consultation with leading physicians and gastroenterologists. The study was designed to measure and validate the quality of life impact that frequent heartburn currently can have on sufferers.
The study demonstrated that frequent heartburn can significantly impact many aspects of sufferers' lives, including their ability to get a good night's sleep, be productive at work, have positive personal relationships and enjoy social activities In fact, the study showed that the more severe frequent heartburn pain is, the greater the impact it can have on sufferers' quality of life. The study was funded by Novartis Consumer Health, Inc.
To field a best-in-class study that would reveal how frequent heartburn impacts the lives of sufferers, the researchers developed a scientifically rigorous protocol that included conducting a literature review and evaluating existing validated research instruments, as well as interviewing frequent heartburn sufferers to explore and understand their experience of their condition.
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 and scientist " to confirm that the study examined the full breadth of frequent heartburn sufferers' experiences. Finally, the researchers tested the study with additional frequent heartburn sufferers to assure the questionnaire was easy to understand and reflected their experiences.
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 or severe. 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.
Experience of Frequent Heartburn in America, 2009 Key Findings
The study showed that for frequent heartburn sufferers, their heartburn is often on their minds. Sixty-two percent of frequent heartburn sufferers thought about their heartburn multiple times a week. Of those with moderate to severe frequent heartburn pain, 75% thought about it multiple times a week, while almost one-third of them thought about their heartburn at least once a day.
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.
- The study found that about 75% of frequent heartburn sufferers experienced some sleep problems as a result of their heartburn—either problems falling asleep or staying asleep
- More than 60% reported feeling some fatigue—either tired, sleepy, sluggish or drowsy—resulting from frequent heartburn
- 70% had some problems falling asleep because of frequent heartburn
- 67% of frequent heartburn sufferers had some problems staying asleep because of their heartburn
- Of those who experienced moderate to severe pain, 88% had some problems either falling or staying asleep as a result of their frequent heartburn
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 those with moderate/severe frequent heartburn pain, 44% experienced some family relationship problems resulting from their heartburn
- 54% of the moderate to severe sufferers experienced some relationship problems with their spouse due to their frequent heartburn
- Over half (54%) of those with moderate/severe frequent heartburn pain reported that their heartburn affected their sex life
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.
- 52% of frequent heartburn sufferers experienced some presenteeism problems as a result of their frequent heartburn
- Of those with moderate/severe frequent heartburn, almost 70% experienced some presenteeism problems as a result of their heartburn
- Presenteeism was 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
- Of those with moderate/severe frequent heartburn, almost 70% experienced some presenteeism problems as a result of their heartburn
- Almost 40% of frequent heartburn sufferers experienced some negative effect on work as a result of frequent heartburn, and that number increases to 53% of those with moderate/severe frequent heartburn pain
- Of people with moderate/severe frequent heartburn pain, more than 50% said they have had difficulty concentrating at work as a result of their frequent heartburn
- 60% of those frequent heartburn sufferers with moderate to severe pain reported their heartburn affects their ability to join colleagues for lunch
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 able to enjoy social activities to the fullest.
- Almost half (48%) reported that their frequent heartburn interfered with daily activities
- 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
- Almost 50% also reported that they experienced some restrictions in their daily activities as a result of their frequent heartburn
- Restriction in daily activities was measured by cutting down on the amount of time spent on social activities, accomplishing less than they would like and being limited in the kind of work or other activities they could do
- For 67% of the sufferers with moderate to severe frequent heartburn pain, it has kept them from doing the kinds of things other people their age do
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 feel like they are forced to eliminate certain foods and drinks because of frequent heartburn pain.
- More than 80% reported that their heartburn leads to some changes in diet
- 60% reported that frequent heartburn leads to some change in beverage consumption (soda/pop, alcohol)
- Of those with moderate/severe frequent heartburn, almost 70% reported some change in beverage consumption due to their frequent heartburn
According to the Experience of Frequent Heartburn in America, 2009 study, frequent heartburn can also affect how sufferers perceive themselves.
- Of those with moderate/severe frequent heartburn pain, more than half (53%) reported that their heartburn affected their self-perception
- 85% of the moderate to severe sufferers felt anxious or concerned about their frequent heartburn in the past month
- Less than 39% of the moderate to severe sufferers felt happy in the past week, while 71% felt tired and 60% felt downhearted
- During the past week, 75% of the sufferers with moderate to severe frequent heartburn pain said their frequent heartburn affected their energy level
1 National Heartburn Alliance: http://www.heartburnalliance.org/frequent_heartburn.php
2 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.
2 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.
May take 1-4 days for full effect, although some people get complete relief of symptoms within 24 hours. Prevacid�®24HR is indicated for the treatment of frequent heartburn, which occurs 2 or more days a week. Use as directed for 14 days. Take one course every 4 months or as directed by your doctor. If your heartburn continues or worsens stop use and ask your doctor.
© 2009 Novartis Consumer Health, Inc.
Prevacid®24HR is indicated for the treatment of frequent heartburn. Prevacid® is a prescription medication indicated for the treatment of many other acid-related conditions. For details on prescription Prevacid® visit www.prevacid.com.
Prevacid® is a registered trademark of Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc., and is used under license.
