Clinical spectrum of reflux esophagitis among 25,536 Koreans who underwent a health check-up: a nationwide multicenter prospective, endoscopy-based study.
BACKGROUND
Gastroesophageal reflux is a commonly encountered condition, but detailed data on reflux symptoms in Asian countries are lacking.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence and to document the clinical spectrum of endoscopic reflux esophagitis (RE).


METHODS
A total 25,536 subjects underwent an upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination as part of a health check, and completed a gastroesophageal reflux questionnaire. Endoscopic findings classified according to the Los Angeles (LA) classification and the data from gastroesophageal reflux questionnaire were analyzed.


RESULTS
On the basis of endoscopic findings, 2019 subjects (7.91%) were found to have RE: 5.87% in LA-A; 1.84% in LA-B; 0.18% in LA-C; and 0.02% in LA-D. Heartburn, acid regurgitation, chest pain, hoarseness, globus sensation, cough, and epigastric soreness were found to be associated with RE (P<0.05). Heartburn, acid regurgitation, and epigastric soreness were more frequent in LA-B than in LA-A (P<0.05). Epigastric soreness was most bothersome in LA-A and LA-B, and acid regurgitation was most bothersome in LA-C and LA-D (P<0.01). Heartburn, hoarseness, and globus sensation were more frequent in men with RE, and acid regurgitation was most common in women.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of RE was found to be 7.91% in Korea, and the profiles of reflux symptoms were found to depend on grade of RE and sex.
Shim
Ki-Nam
KN
Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Korea.
Hong
Su Jin
SJ
Sung
Jae Kyu
JK
Park
Kyung Sik
KS
Kim
Seong-Eun
SE
Park
Hyun-Shin
HS
Kim
Young Sun
YS
Lim
Seon Hee
SH
Kim
Chung Hyeon
CH
Park
Min Jung
MJ
Yim
Jeong Yoon
JY
Cho
Kyung Ran
KR
Kim
Donghee
D
Park
Seun Ja
SJ
Jee
Sam-Ryong
SR
Kim
Jin Il
JI
Park
Joon Yong
JY
Song
Geun Am
GA
Jung
Hwoon-Yong
HY
Lee
Yong Chan
YC
Kim
Jae Gyu
JG
Kim
Jae J
JJ
Kim
Nayoung
N
Park
Soo-Heon
SH
Jung
Hyun Chae
HC
Chung
In-Sik
IS
D044466:Asian People; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D004942:Esophagitis, Peptic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires