Typical Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in the General Adult Population in Cotonou: Prevalence and Associated Socio-Demographic Factors

Abstract

Introduction: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a common benign condition with a worldwide prevalence of between 5% and 45% in the adult population. Its prevalence in the general population is little known in Africa. The aim of this work was to study the prevalence of typical GERD in the general adult population of a large city and the associated socio-demographic factors. Patients and Methods: This was a prospectively collected, descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study that was conducted over a one-month period (June 2018). We included any person residing in the city of Cotonou for at least 6 months, aged 15 years or older, who had given consent for the study. The two-stage cluster sampling technique was used. The dependent variable was the typical gastroesophageal reflux defined by the heatburn-regurgitation association. Results: We had included 728 subjects. Of these, 255 had a typical GERD, i.e. a prevalence of 35%. The mean age of the respondents was 31.9 ± 13.2 years with extremes of 15 and 88 years. There were 379 men (52.1%) with a sex ratio of 1.08. The study population was represented respectively by artisans (29.3%), students (26.6%) and traders/dealers (20.3%). In terms of marital status, there were as many married and single subjects (48.2%). In addition, 47% of the study population had a body mass index of less than 25 kg/m2. In univariate analysis, the sociodemographic factors associated with typical GERD were: age (60 years and older): OR: 0.220 [95% CI 07 - 0.63], p = 0.005 and marital status divorced/separated/widowed: OR: 0.32 [0.11 - 0.97], p = 0.04. Older age and divorced/separated/widowed status appear to be protective of the occurrence of GERD. Conclusion: Typical GERD was common in the adult population of Cotonou. It readily affected young (under 60 years of age), single or married subjects.