Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Buddhist Monks

Abstract

This descriptive study was conducted on 113 Buddhist monks with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) diagnosed at the Priest Hospital’s Outpatient department during January 1 - December 31, 2012 with the objectives to study consuming habits and treatment outcomes for GERD in monks. It was found that 37 monks (32.74%) received neutralizing gastric acid medications for 4 weeks. Consequently 25 (67.57%) improved but 12 (32.43%) were not better. Whereas, 76 monks (67.26%) on proton pump inhibitors once daily dose of Esomeprazole 20 mg, Pantoprazole 20 mg or Omeprazole 20 mg, resulting in improvement among 23 monks on Esomeprazole (30.26%), 16 (21.05%) on Pantaprazole and 31 (40.79%) on the last. In this latter group, 6 monks (7.90%) did not improve resulting from irregular medicine taking and compulsory conduct in food offering as part of merit making. It was suggested that comparison of health behaviors of monks and civilians of the same age group should be studied.