Labeling Symptoms as GERD Increases Parents' Desire for Medication

Labeling regurgitation and irritability as gastroesophageal reflux disease promotes overmedication.

Increasingly, infants are being diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and prescribed medications, despite studies showing therapeutic ineffectiveness. Investigators surveyed 175 parents to examine whether use of the GERD label affects parents' perception of disease severity and request for medications.

All parents were provided with a written scenario of a 1-month-old child who frequently regurgitates after feeding and cries excessively, but is otherwise healthy. Parents were randomized to one of four vignettes: The doctor first either gives a diagnosis of GERD or does not give a specific diagnosis (referring to the symptoms as “this problem”) and then offers treatment either with information that the medications are ineffect…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

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Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Labeling Symptoms as GERD Increases Parents' Desire for Medication

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Reviewing Author