Epidemiology and natural history of reflux disease.
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a highly prevalent condition in Western countries; at least 20% of the population have weekly symptoms. The incidence appears to be rising in the West and in some developing countries. Heartburn, based on a carefully elicited history, is reasonably specific for identifying GORD if it is a predominant complaint. Symptoms, however, appear to correlate poorly with oesophagitis; hence, severe symptoms do not indicate there is greater oesophageal damage. Only one-third to one-half of patients with GORD undergoing endoscopy have oesophagitis. GORD is usually a chronic disease but one-third may lose their symptoms over time. An ill-defined subset of patients over time may progress to develop abnormal acid exposure or oesophagitis, or both, when none existed at baseline. GORD has a significant negative impact on quality of life to the same degree as other chronic medical conditions, but impairment in quality of life is independent of oesophagitis.
Nandurkar
S
S
Department of Medicine, University of Sydney, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia.
Talley
N J
NJ
D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index