DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sasjm.2026.v12i08.008

Pages: 813-815

The aim of this article is to raise awareness of the limitations if using the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Questionnaire (GerdQ) to evaluate a treatment benefit for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or gastroesophageal reflux (GER) symptoms. The GerdQ is currently a widely used questionnaire estimated to be referred to in over 100 publications per year. A hypothetical example comparing a patient group before and after a treatment shows when using the GerdQ, a score of 6 can represent both a symptomatic and asymptomatic state. It is shown that the patient group with scores < 8 can have significant GER symptoms despite a cut-off score of ≥ 8 being recommended to diagnose GERD. It is also shown a score of zero does not represent an asymptomatic state or an achievable endpoint to determine a treatment benefit. Evaluation of a treatment benefit using scores from the 2 main symptoms, heartburn and regurgitation, that make up 2 of the 6 question GerdQ can be relied upon. Evaluation of a treatment benefit using the sum of all 6 question scores that make up the GerdQ may potentially be unreliable as an asymptomatic patient must have a score of 6 and symptoms are required for a score of zero.