Managing reflux after tubular gastric esophageal substitution

Table 2 Comparison of reflux symptom scores between groups before and after nursing care, mean ± SD

Group	n	Heartburn		Acid regurgitation		Upper abdominal distension		Upper abdominal pain
		Before	After	Before	After	Before	After	Before	After
Study	50	2.37 ± 0.28	0.91 ± 0.12a	2.53 ± 0.33	0.97 ± 0.21a	2.27 ± 0.22	1.01 ± 0.14a	1.83 ± 0.46	0.86 ± 0.11a
Control	50	2.29 ± 0.31	1.46 ± 0.26a	2.51 ± 0.37	1.69 ± 0.34a	2.30 ± 0.25	1.62 ± 0.21a	1.84 ± 0.48	1.03 ± 0.18a
t		1.352	13.578	0.291	12.742	0.641	17.089	0.110	5.701
P value		0.180	0.001	0.775	0.000	0.524	0.000	0.915	0.000

^aP < 0.05 vs same group before and after nursing.

Continuous data were compared using independent samples student's t-test. Interpretation of the Reflux Symptom Scale Score: The total score ranges from 0 to 12, with higher scores indicating more severe and frequent symptoms. Scores were interpreted as follows: 0, asymptomatic; 1-4 = mild; 5-8 = moderate; 9-12 = severe.