Critical review of the epidemiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease with specific comparisons to asthma and breast cancer

Abstract

GERD is one of the most common GI disorders. Despite its frequent occurrence, the absence of a consistent definition and an easily used diagnostic gold standard make it difficult to ascertain the true epidemiology of this condition. Recent work to validate a short symptom questionnaire to reliably diagnose GERD will be a major methodological improvement facilitating the analysis of large populations to better define its epidemiology. When these methods are available, a number of questions need to be addressed (Table 4). These include elucidating the epidemiology of erosive and nonerosive reflux disease, defining the epidemiology of GERD among minority populations, determining the natural history of erosive and nonerosive reflux disease, and identifying potential risk factors contributing to the development of GERD. The answers to these questions should improve our understanding of GERD, allowing us to better identify and treat individuals and populations at risk with the ultimate goal of improving quality of life in addition to preventing the development of GERD complications such as adenocarcinoma.