title: A 13-nation population survey of upper gastrointestinal symptoms: prevalence of symptoms and socioeconomic factors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous data collected in separate studies using various different survey instruments have suggested some variability in the prevalence of symptoms between nations. However, there is a lack of studies which assess and compare the prevalence of upper gastrointestinal symptoms contemporaneously in various countries using a uniform, standardised method.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) symptoms in 13 European countries, and the association between socioeconomic factors and symptoms using a standardised method.
  
  
  METHODS
  A representative age- and gender-stratified sample of 23,163 subjects (aged 18-69 years) was surveyed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of UGI symptoms was 38%. UGI symptoms were most prevalent in Hungary [45%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 42.2-48.4] and lowest in the Netherlands (24%, 95% CI: 21.0-26.2). UGI symptoms were more prevalent in women (39%, 95% CI: 38.4-39.6) vs. men (37%, 95% CI: 36.4-37.6). Heartburn (24%, 95% CI: 23.4-24.6) and acidic reflux (14%, 95% CI: 13.6-14.4) were most common. With age, the prevalence of UGI symptoms decreased (e.g. 18-29 years: 43%, 95% CI: 41.4-44.3 vs. 50-69 years: 33%, 95% CI: 32.3-34.4); in contrast, the frequency of symptom episodes/year increased with age (e.g. 18-29 years: 11.3 episodes per years, 95% CI: 10.5-12.1 vs. 50-69 years: 21.8, 95% CI: 20.7-22.9). Socioeconomic status as measured by gross domestic product was inversely associated with symptoms and in total, socioeconomic factors, gender, body mass index, smoking habits and alcohol consumption explained 83% of the variance of UGI symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are marked differences in the country specific prevalence of upper gastrointestinal complaints. Socioeconomic factors are closely associated with the prevalence of upper gastrointestinal symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haag
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gapasin
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gerken
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Holtmann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D014943:Global Health; D006356:Heartburn / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult