Erosive esophagitis in asymptomatic subjects: risk factors.
BACKGROUND
Asymptomatic erosive esophagitis is a common yet rarely reported disease. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of asymptomatic erosive esophagitis and to identify the risk factors for this disease.


METHODS
In this study, we investigated 572 asymptomatic subjects undergoing health check-ups after upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The severity of esophagitis was evaluated by the Los Angeles classification, and the independent risk factors for asymptomatic esophagitis were analyzed by the logistic regression method.


RESULTS
The results showed the prevalence of erosive esophagitis in asymptomatic subjects was 12% (70/572). In all asymptomatic subjects, erosive esophagitis was grade A (71%) or B (29%). Univariate analysis revealed that male gender, high body mass index (BMI), and consumption of tobacco, alcohol, tea, spicy foods, and betel nut were associated with the development of erosive esophagitis. Multivariate analysis revealed that male gender (OR, 3.8, 95% CI, 1.5-9.3) and high BMI (BMI 25-30: OR, 2.3, 95% CI, 1.3-4.2; BMI >30: OR, 3.8, 95% CI, 1.3-10.9) were independent predictors of erosive esophagitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data revealed male gender and high BMI are independent risk factors for asymptomatic erosive esophagitis.
Wang
Fu-Wei
FW
Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. wfwvghks@yahoo.com.tw
Tu
Ming-Shium
MS
Chuang
Hung-Yi
HY
Yu
Hsien-Chung
HC
Cheng
Lung-Chih
LC
Hsu
Ping-I
PI
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D001114:Areca; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004032:Diet; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology
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