title: Symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux: incidence and precipitating factors.
abstract: The incidence and precipitating factors associated with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux were evaluated by a questionnaire in 446 hospitalized and 558 nonhospitalized subjects. Of 385 control subjects 7% experienced heartburn daily, 14% noted heartburn weekly, and 15% experienced it once a month, giving a total of 36% of subjects having heartburn at least monthly. Daily heartburn occurred at a significantly greater (P less than 0.05) rate for 246 medical inpatients (14%) and for 121 patients seen in outpatient gastroenterological clinic (15%). Pregnant women seen in uncomplicated obstetrical clinic had symptoms of significantly greater (P less than 0.01) incidence: daily (25%) and at least once monthly (52%). Age, sex, or hospitalization did not significantly affect incidence. Fried foods, "spicy" foods, and alcohol were the most common precipitating factors.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D006356:Heartburn / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006748:Hospital Departments; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology; D012737:Sex Factors