title: [Prevalence of esophageal and gastrointestinal symptoms in Chilean adults].
abstract: We surveyed 300 randomly selected presumable healthy adults for previously defined gastrointestinal and esophageal symptoms. Heartburn was the most common symptom, more frequent in females than in males (p less than 0.01). An association of esophageal symptoms to heartburn but not to smoking habit was found. Constipation was frequent in females and diarrhea in males. We conclude that esophageal symptoms are frequent in presumable healthy individuals.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Csendes
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Valenzuela
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Arraztoa
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Medina
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002677:Chile; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking
vernacular_title: Prevalencia de síntomas esofágicos y gastrointestinales en adultos chilenos.