[The risk factors and impact of gastroesophageal reflux disease on quality of life in general population].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the risk factors of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in the general population and its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL).


METHODS
A face-to-face interview was carried out in Guangdong Province using a validated Chinese version Reflux Disease Questionnaire (RDQ) to assess the prevalence of GERD. Random clustered sampling of permanent inhabitants aged 18 to 90 years was carried out under stratification of urban and suburban areas. The impact of GERD on HRQOL was evaluated using the Chinese version of SF-36. The statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 10.0 programs.


RESULTS
A total of 83 GERD patients were collected and 166 healthy subjects were selected as control. There was no difference in prevalence between male (2.6%) and female (2.4%). There was no significant association between age and prevalence of GERD symptoms. Divorced/widowed/separated subjects (OR 4.61) and subjects with severe working burden (OR 3.43) were significantly more likely to report GERD symptoms. As compared with the general population, subjects with GERD symptoms experienced considerable impairment in quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
Psychosocial factors may play important roles in the production of GERD symptoms. GERD has a negative impact on HRQOL.
Chen
Hui-xin
HX
Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China. chenminhu@vip.163.com
Xiong
Li-shou
LS
Xu
An-gao
AG
He
Long-jun
LJ
Hu
Pin-jin
PJ
Chen
Min-hu
MH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D012494:Sampling Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population