Abstract
BackgroundThe epidemiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has yet to be investigated using the symptomatic threshold criteria recommended by the Montreal Definition. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of symptom-defined GERD across five regions of China, and to investigate variables associated with GERD.MethodsA representative sample of 18 000 adults (aged 18-80 years) were selected equally from rural and urban areas in each region (n = 1800). According to the Montreal Definition, GERD is present when mild symptoms of heartburn and/or regurgitation occur on ≥2 days a week, or moderate-to-severe symptoms of heartburn and/or regurgitation occur on ≥1 day a week.ResultsIn total, 16 091 participants completed the survey (response rate: 89.4%) and 16 078 responses were suitable for analysis. Applying the Montreal criteria, the prevalence of symptom-defined GERD was 3.1% and varied significantly (p < 0.001) among the five regions (from 1.7% in Guangzhou to 5.1% in Wuhan) and between rural and urban populations (3.8% vs 2.4%). Factors significantly associated with GERD included living in a rural area and a family history of gastrointestinal diseases.ConclusionsThis population-based survey found that the prevalence of symptom-defined GERD in China was 3.1%, which is lower than that found in Western countries.
Highlights
The epidemiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has yet to be investigated using the symptomatic threshold criteria recommended by the Montreal Definition
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic disease that is associated with a range of troublesome symptoms, which can in turn have a significant impact on health-related quality of life and work productivity [1,2,3,4]
The aim of the Systematic Investigation of Gastrointestinal Diseases in China (SILC) study was to use the symptom threshold recommended for epidemiological studies by the Montreal Definition to determine the prevalence of symptom-defined GERD across five regions of China, and to investigate variables associated with this disease
Summary
The epidemiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has yet to be investigated using the symptomatic threshold criteria recommended by the Montreal Definition. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic disease that is associated with a range of troublesome symptoms, which can in turn have a significant impact on health-related quality of life and work productivity [1,2,3,4]. A global evidence-based consensus (the Montreal Definition of GERD) has recommended that in population-based surveys GERD should be defined as symptoms of heartburn and/or regurgitation that are either mild and occur on at least 2 days a week, or moderate-to-severe and occur on at least 1 day a week [1] This was considered to be the level at which these characteristic GERD symptoms become troublesome. The aim of the SILC study was to use the symptom threshold recommended for epidemiological studies by the Montreal Definition to determine the prevalence of symptom-defined GERD across five regions of China, and to investigate variables associated with this disease
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