Gastroesophageal reflux disease in a typical African population: a symptom-based multicenter study

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in Africa is not known but is believed to be increasing because of demographic and epidemiologic transition. The main objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and risk factors of GERD, and its degree of overlap with dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in Nigeria, a typical African population. Methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional and descriptive study of adult Nigerians. Diagnosis of GERD was by means of the gastroesophageal reflux disease questionnaire (GERDQ) while the diagnosis of dyspepsia and IBS was based on the Rome III criteria for the diagnosis of functional gastrointestinal disorders. The GERDQ and Rome III questionnaires for dyspepsia and IBS were merged into a composite questionnaire and administered to the study participants who were recruited with a multi-stage sampling technique. Results: Out of 3520 subjects who participated in the study across the country, 269 (7.6%) satisfied the diagnostic criteria for GERD, while 107 (3.0%) had GERD associated with significant impairment of quality of life. Risk factors of GERD (represented by odds ratios) were age 1.014(95% CI: 1.006-1.022), use of analgesics 1.461 (95% CI: 1.060-2.025), and use of herbs 1.318 (95% CI: 1.020-1.704). Overlap of GERD with dyspepsia and/or IBS was observed in over 50% of cases. Conclusions: The prevalence of GERD in this study is 7.6%. Age, use of analgesics and use of herbs increase the risk, albeit minimally. A high degree of overlap with dyspepsia and IBS exists in Nigerian patients with GERD.

Correlation between the symptoms of upper gastrointestinal disease and endoscopy findings: Implications for clinical practice

“…Dyspepsia and gastroesophageal reflux disease occur frequently in the population at large and have significant overlapping of symptoms; therefore, knowledge of the underlying clinical cause of these symptoms could help perfect the management of upper gastrointestinal diseases. 28 , 29 …”

Endoscopic correlation of clinical presentation of gastroesophageal reflux disease among patients referred for gastroscopy in a tertiary hospital

“…In this study, the prevalence was found to be 14.2% based on GERD symptoms of mainly heartburn and regurgitation lasting days, weeks, monthly and yearly. A recent nationwide population based study reported a prevalence of 7.6% in Nigeria [7] . There are several potential explanations for the differences in reported prevalence rates in different studies.…”

Relação entre o Helicobacter pylori e a doença do refluxo gastroesofágico: uma revisão integrativa

“…A Doença do Refluxo Gastroesofágico (DRGE) é um distúrbio de evolução crônica, de alta prevalência em países ocidentais, em que o conteúdo gástrico reflui do estômago para o esôfago e órgãos adjacentes. Esse processo, associado a fatores ambientais, leva à presença de sintomas esofágicos e extra-esofágicos como regurgitação, tosse, odinofagia e pirose, sendo esse o principal sintoma responsável por interferir nas atividades diárias e diminuir a qualidade de vida do paciente (NWOKEDIUKO SC, et al, 2020).…”