Prevalence, clinical spectrum and atypical symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux in Argentina: a nationwide population-based study.
BACKGROUND
Population-based data on gastro-oesophageal reflux in Latin America are lacking.


OBJECTIVE
To assess gastro-oesophageal reflux symptom prevalence, clinical spectrum and association with the atypical symptoms in our country.


METHODS
Gastro-oesophageal reflux self-report questionnaires validated at Mayo Clinic, USA, were submitted to a sample of 1000 residents (aged 18-80 years) from 17 representative geographical areas of Argentina. The samples were selected and stratified according to age, gender, geographical areas and size of town of residence provided by the Argentine Bureau of Statistics and Census.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of any typical gastro-oesophageal reflux symptom experienced in the previous year was 61.2% (95% CI, 57.9-64.6), the prevalence of frequent gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms was 23.0% (95% CI, 20.1-25.9) and the prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease was 11.9% (95% CI, 9.6-14.1). Frequent gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms were associated with dysphagia (OR 2.12, 95% CI, 1.27-3.54, P < 0.01), globus (OR 2.22, 95% CI, 1.35-3.66, P < 0.01) and non-cardiac chest pain (OR 1.55, 95% CI, 1.04-2.31, P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
In Argentina, typical symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux are highly prevalent at the national level, and frequent gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms are significantly associated with dysphagia, globus and non-cardiac chest pain.
Chiocca
J C
JC
Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital Nacional Prof. Dr Alejandro Posadas, El Palomar, Buenos Aires, Argentina. ick@sinectic.com.ar
Olmos
J A
JA
Salis
G B
GB
Soifer
L O
LO
Higa
R
R
Marcolongo
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003291:Conversion Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires