title: Natural history of heartburn: a 10-year population-based study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the natural history and prevalence of heartburn at a 10-year interval, and to study the effect of heartburn on various symptoms and activities.
  
  
  METHODS
  A population-based postal study was carried out. Questionnaires were mailed to the same age- and gender-stratified random sample of the Icelandic population (aged 18-75 years) in 1996 and again in 2006. Subjects were classified with heartburn if they reported heartburn in the preceding year and/or week, based on the definition of heartburn.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Heartburn in the preceding year was reported in 42.8% (1996) and 44.2% (2006) of subjects, with a strong relationship between those who experienced heartburn in both years. Heartburn in the preceding week was diagnosed in 20.8%. There was a significant relationship between heartburn, dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome. Individuals with a body mass index (BMI) below or higher than normal weight were more likely to have heartburn. Heartburn caused by food or beverages was reported very often by 20.0% of subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Heartburn is a common and chronic condition. Subjects with a BMI below or higher than normal weight are more likely to experience heartburn. Heartburn has a great impact on daily activities, sleep and quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Landspitali University Hospitol, and The Social Science Research Institute, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland. linda04@ru.is
authors.forename: Linda Bjork
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Olafsdottir
authors.forename: Hallgrimur
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gudjonsson
authors.forename: Heidur Hrund
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Jonsdottir
authors.forename: Bjarni
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Thjodleifsson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006356:Heartburn / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D044382:Population Groups; D012042:Registries; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult