Prevalence Of Reflux Esophagitis Research Articles

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common cause of noncardiac chest pain in a country with a low prevalence of reflux esophagitis.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is believed to be uncommon in the East. This study aimed to determine if such a condition was a significant cause of noncardiac chest pain in Singapore. Eighty consecutive patients with recurrent chest pain, who had cardiac and other obvious causes excluded, underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy, standard manometry, acid perfusion test, and prolonged ambulatory pH and pressure monitoring. Endoscopic esophagitis, positive acid perfusion tests, pathologic reflux, and positive chest pain-reflux correlation were detected in 7/80 (8.8%), 11/70 (15.7%), 14/61 (23.0%), and 12/25 (48.0%) patients, respectively. Among those with pathologic reflux, endoscopic esophagitis was present in only two (14.3%). Overall, 32 (40%) patients had gastroesophageal reflux disease. Esophageal motility disorder, alone or in association with gastroesophageal reflux disease, was demonstrated in only five (6.3%) patients. Our results confirmed western reports that gastroesophageal reflux disease was a common cause of noncardiac chest pain, whereas motility disorder was an infrequent cause of such pain.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in institutionalised intellectually disabled individuals

Background: The prevalence of reflux oesophagitis (RO) in the normally intellectual population is about 2%, while this condition in the intellectually disabled has an estimated prevalence of 10%.Methods: We investigated the presence of RO among 1687 intellectually disabled, with an IQ < 50, from 5 different institutes in the Netherlands. All were scored for possible associated factors and reflux symptoms, and compared with the overall population (n = 1580) from the same institutes (controls). Also, the effect of treatment on symptoms was evaluated after at least one year of therapy.Results: Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) was suspected clinically in 169 patients based on the following symptoms: vomiting, haematemesis, anaemia, rumination or behaviour problems. At endoscopy RO was diagnosed in 107 of 1687 patients (6.4%): 17 (15.9%) grade I, 34 (31.8%) gr. II, 42 (39.3%) gr. III and 14 (13.1%) gr. IV RO (Savary-Miller classification). Cerebral palsy, constipation, anticonvulsant drugs, an IQ < 35, underweight and gastrostomy feeding appeared to be possible associated factors, while as reflux symptoms persistent vomiting, haematemesis, iron deficiency anaemia, rumination, and behaviour problems were found. Concerning therapy, surgery was found to be effective in 38%, H2 receptor antagonists in 60% and the proton-pump inhibitor omeprazole in 96%.Conclusions: In this group of Dutch intellectually disabled patients with IQ < 50 RO was diagnosed in about 6% (107 of 1687), mostly severe grades of oesophagitis. Several possible associated factors were significantly present. From non-specific reflux symptoms persistent vomiting was the most indicative factor. In this population the most effective treatment of RO was long-term omeprazole therapy.

Epidemiology of reflux disease and reflux esophagitis.

Symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux is a common medical problem. But only few data exist on the epidemiology of reflux disease (without inflammation) and reflux esophagitis. The literature is critically reviewed and ecological causes of gastroesophageal reflux are discussed. The prevalence of reflux esophagitis in Western countries is estimated to be 2% and that of reflux disease 5%. Sparse reports exist on the natural history of both diseases. They appear to have little if any effect on life expectancy. The main complications of reflux esophagitis are Barrett's esophagus, peptic stricture, ulceration and bleeding.