title: Clinical spectrum of reflux esophagitis among 25,536 Koreans who underwent a health check-up: a nationwide multicenter prospective, endoscopy-based study.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Korea.
authors.forename: Ki-Nam
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Shim
authors.forename: Su Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Jae Kyu
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: Kyung Sik
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Seong-Eun
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyun-Shin
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Young Sun
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seon Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Chung Hyeon
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Min Jung
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jeong Yoon
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Yim
authors.forename: Kyung Ran
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Donghee
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seun Ja
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Sam-Ryong
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Jee
authors.forename: Jin Il
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Joon Yong
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Geun Am
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Hwoon-Yong
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Yong Chan
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jae Gyu
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jae J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Nayoung
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Soo-Heon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hyun Chae
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: In-Sik
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: 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