The prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
Estimation of the prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is difficult because of the lack of an accepted definition and a gold standard. Based on the occurrence of reflux symptoms and on the use of antacids in the population, the prevalence of GORD may be estimated at about 10%. The 1-year incidence of endoscopic oesophagitis has been shown to be 1.2%. In an endoscopic population study, oesophagitis was found in about 10% of the adult population. However, the criteria used for the diagnosis were disputable. The true prevalence of oesophagitis is probably about 5%, higher in males than in females. The severity of GORD tends to increase with age, with regard to both symptoms and oesophagitis.
Dept. of Medicine, Trondheim Regional and University Hospital, Norway.
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Petersen
D000328:Adult; D004942:Esophagitis, Peptic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence