Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease in severely mentally retarded people: a systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid frequently backs up (or refluxes) into the gullet (or esophagus), and it has serious consequences for the quality of life. Usually this is felt as heartburn. Because severely mentally retarded people usually do not utter complaints of heartburn, it requires a high index of suspicion to discover possible GERD. Therefore it is relevant for care professionals such as nurses to have knowledge of those with a higher risk of GERD and of the possible manifestations of GERD.

Methods

Using a predefined search method, electronic databases were searched for studies relating the presence of symptoms to the presence of GERD. Relevant data were extracted and the methodological quality of the studies assessed. The r

SUBMITTER: de Veer AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2435531 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature