Questions
In 2005, the Infant Gastroesophageal Reflux Questionnaire (I-GERQ) was created and used to evaluate GERD symptoms in infants.
The IGERQ is a 12-item tool or calculator to get basic clinical information by acting as a questionnaire in the diagnosis of infant GERD symptoms. It is an efficient and credible tool used in infant GERD symptoms and shows a good response to changes during the course of treatment. It was accepted as a diagnostic tool for children aged between 1–14 months which establishes atypical pH probe studies or esophageal biopsies to set the standard. The use of the IGERQ in non-English speaking countries is required a translated version in other languages from the US English version.
Evidence proves that healthy infants and infants with GERD showed that IGERQ is an effective and easy questionnaire that can be used in clinical management for evaluation. The total sum from all the scores of the IGERQ paraments can distinguish between populations that are mild, moderate, and severe or those that are completely healthy as well.
The principle of IGERQ was assessed by looking at the association of caregiver and physician ratings of disease severity and that of the individual IGERQ item scores. IGERQ scores were carefully combined with both guardian and physician-rated severity.
The IGERQ shows great effects based on guardian and physician ratings. the IGERQ has the ability to distinguish clinically significant change and clinically insignificant change, which is considered a very essential factor for a tool that has the purpose of therapy.
The IGERQ is thus very helpful in the evaluation of infant GERD, to distinguish infants who have not so evident symptoms and help in their efficient clinical management and treating them in the right manner after diagnosis. The multi-language IGERQ is also really helpful for those who don't know English and need help to understand and evaluate the disease in their mother tongue.