Prevalence and risk factors for gastro-esophageal reflux disease in the North-Eastern part of Bangladesh

Abstract

Despite a common disorder population-based data on gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) in Bangladesh is lacking. This epidemiological study was designed to determine the prevalence of GERD and its association with lifestyle factors. This population-based cross-sectional study was done by door to door interview of randomly selected persons in both urban and rural areas of North Eastern part of Bangladesh by using a validated questionnaire. A cutoff point 3 was chosen as a valid and reliable scale to confirm GERD. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS-12 version and the level of significance was set at P≤0.05. A total of 2000 persons with an age range of 15 to 85 years were interviewed; 1000 subjects from urban area and 1000 from rural area. Among the study subjects 1064 were male and 936 were female. A total of 110 persons (5.5%) were found to have GERD symptoms and among them 47 were men and 67 were women. The monthly, weekly and daily prevalence of heart-burn and or acid regurgitation was 5.5%, 5.25% and 2.5% respectively. Female sex, increased age and lower level of education were significantly associated with GERD symptoms. Prevalence was found more among city dwellers (approximately 6.0% versus 4.8%), married (6.23%, n=86), widowed/widowers (16.83%, n=17) and day labourer (8.78%). Level of education inversely influenced the prevalence. No significant association of GERD was found with body mass index (BMI) and smoking. Prevalence of GERD in North-Eastern part of Bangladesh was lower than that of western world. Prevalence was found higher in urban population, women, married, widowed/widowers and in poor and illiterate persons. BMI and smoking had no significant association with GERD.

Global prevalence of, and risk factors for, gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms: a meta-analysis

“…The majority of studies used accepted diagnostic criteria to define the presence of gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms, with 26 using more than one set of criteria within the same population 11 29 31 36 42 46 51–54 59 64–66 72 75 83 87 88 91 92 95 96 102 108 119. Details of symptom frequency and duration required to meet criteria for gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms in each study are provided in online supplementary table S1.…”

“…Details of symptom frequency and duration required to meet criteria for gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms in each study are provided in online supplementary table S1. In total, 79 studies (reporting 85 separate study populations) used a frequency of the presence of heart burn and/or regurgitation of at least once a week to define gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms,11 22 25 27–29 32–34 36 38 40 41 44 45–48 50–61 64–77 79–89 91–97 99–101 102 104 105 107–109 111–117 119 two studies used the Rome II criteria42 98 and two the Rome I criteria 23 62…”

“…Sixty-nine studies reported the duration of symptoms required to meet criteria for gastro-oesophageal reflux, with 36 using 12 months,11 24 28 29 31 32 35–37 41 42 46–48 56 62 65 67 69 70 73 74 77 79–83 86 94 100 102 104 107 111 115 6 using 6 months,19 34 38 51 71 101 11 using 3 months,23 26 33 39 40 43 44 52 60 87 109 7 using 1 month53 64 78 88 92 106 118 and 9 using 1 week 27 59 66 84 99 105 112 114 117. The prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms was highest in studies that used a 1-month timeframe (20.1%), but was also higher in studies that used 6 months, compared with those that used 12 months (17.6% vs 14.1%) (table 2).…”

How is the gastroesophageal reflux disease prevalence, incidence, and frequency of complications (stricture/esophagitis/Barrett’s esophagus/ carcinoma) in Turkey compared to other geographical regions globally?

“…Such a high prevalence of GERD was not reported from the other Middle Eastern countries (12,13). On the other hand, two studies from India were similar to each other (5.3% and 7.1%) but this study only included patients applying to hospitals for any reason (14,15).…”

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Prevalence and ItsRisk Factors in Rural Bangladesh

“…7,8 A population-based survey reported a prevalence of heart-burn and or acid regurgitation at least monthly, at least weekly and daily was 5.5%, 5.25% and 2.5% respectively and overall, unadjusted estimate of GERD was 5.5 on questionnaire based. 9 GERD affects quality of life of patients, reduces their functional activity, increases the economic burden and predisposes them to more serious conditions as in Barrett esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma which is difficult to treat eventually. [10][11][12][13] There are many factors whichare thought to be associated with GERD symptoms, including dietary factors, alcohol consumption, smoking, the intake of NSAIDs and sleeping position.…”