Abstract
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.