Risk factors for gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease symptoms: a community study

Abstract

Summary Aim: To examine the prevalence of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease symptoms and potential risk factors among community subjects. Methods: A questionnaire was sent to 4000 subjects, stratified by age, gender and ethnicity to be representative of the local population. Gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease symptoms were defined as at least weekly heartburn or acid regurgitation. Results: 2231 responded (59%), 691 refused to participate and seven were incomplete. 1533 (41%) were evaluable (637 male, mean age 51 years, range: 20–80). The prevalence of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease symptoms was 21%. Smoking, excess alcohol, irritable bowel syndrome, increasing body mass index, a family history of upper gastrointestinal disease, increasing Townsend deprivation index, anticholinergic drugs (all P < 0.0001), weight gain, antidepressant drugs, inhaled bronchodilators, no educational attainment (all P < 0.01), south Asian origin (P = 0.02) and manual work (P < 0.05) were associated with gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease symptoms. Multivariate logistic regression revealed increasing body mass index, a family history of upper gastrointestinal disease, irritable bowel syndrome, south Asian origin (all P < 0.0001), smoking, excess alcohol, no educational attainment and anticholinergic drugs (all P < 0.01) were independently associated with gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease symptoms. Conclusions: Frequent gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease symptoms affect 21% of the population. Increasing body mass index, a family history of upper gastrointestinal disease, irritable bowel syndrome, south Asian origin, smoking, excess alcohol, social deprivation and anticholinergic drugs are independently associated with gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease symptoms.

Psychological disorders and personality characteristics of with gastro-esophageal reflux disease

“…A study conducted by Jansson et al reported that patients with depression had 1.7-fold risk of GERD, those with anxiety had a 3.2-fold increased risk, while in those with both the risk was had 2.8-fold. 24 Similar to other studies, 8,13,21,25 in our study too, women with GERD-related symptoms were more commonly found to have depressive and anxiety disorders.…”

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Management in Advanced Pregnancy: A Prospective Survey

“…The positive family history suggests either a genetic predisposition for GERD or the influence of nongenetic environmental factors. Recent studies reporting a higher incidence of GERD in monozygotic twins support a contribution of genetic factors to this disease [26,27,28]. In future studies, the family history on the question for presence of GERD in the patient’s father and siblings should be included.…”

Is alcohol consumption associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease?

“…Compared to controls, RE patients were twice as likely to report drinking at least one alcoholic drink per month. There were no significant associations between wine or liquor consumption and RE (Mohammed et al, 2005;Nocon et al, 2006;Anderson et al, 2009). Interestingly, the highest intake of beer (≥11.928 L per week) was inversely associated with RE (Anderson et al, 2009).…”