Risk factors of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Shiraz, southern Iran.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in a healthy general population in relation to demographic, lifestyle and health-seeking behaviors in Shiraz, southern Iran.


METHODS
A total of 1978 subjects aged > 35 years who referred to Gastroenterohepatology Research Center and who completed a questionnaire consisting of 27 questions for GERD in relation to demographic, lifestyle and health-seeking behaviors were included in this study for a period of five months. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were determined.


RESULTS
The prevalence of GERD was 15.4%, which was higher in females (17.3%), in rural areas (19.8%), and in illiterate subjects (21.5%) and those with a mean age of 50.25 years. The prevalence was significantly lower in subjects having fried food (14.8%), and fruit and vegetables (14.6%). More symptoms were noticed in subjects consuming pickles (22.1%), taking aspirin (21%) and in subjects with psychological distresses (27.2%) and headaches (22%). The correlation was statistically significant between GERD and halitosis (18.3%), dyspepsia (30.6%), anxiety (19.5%), nightmares (23.9%) and restlessness (18.5%). Their health seeking behavior showed that there was a significant restriction of diet (20%), consumption of herbal medicine (19%), using over-the-counter drugs (29.9%) and consulting with physicians (24.8%). Presence of GERD symptoms was also significantly related to a previous family history of the disease (22.3%).


CONCLUSIONS
GERD is more common in females, rural and illiterate subjects and correlated with consumption of pickles, occurrence of headache, psychological distress, dyspepsia, halitosis, anxiety, nightmare and restlessness, and a family history of GERD and aspirin intake, but the correlation was negative with consumption of fat and fiber intake.
Saberi-Firoozi
Mehdi
M
Gastroenterohepatology Research Center, Nemazee Hospital, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Karim-Khan Zand Blv, Shiraz, Iran. saberifm@sums.ac.ir
Khademolhosseini
Farnaz
F
Yousefi
Maryam
M
Mehrabani
Davood
D
Zare
Najaf
N
Heydari
Seyed Taghi
ST
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires