title: Heartburn and related factors in general population in Tehran, capital of Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Heartburn is a highly prevalent disorder and is one of the most common gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms encountered in clinical practice. Despite the increasing importance of the early diagnosis of heartburn, there are few studies available on the prevalence of the disease and its Symptoms. The aim of this study was to estimate the frequency of heartburn in the Iranian adult population and analyze its associations with possible confounding factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was designed as an epidemiological, cross-sectional and population based study that was conducted during May to December 2006 in Firoozkou city of Iran. Participants were interviewed by using a questionnaire which included sociodemographic, health relevant life style and clinical factors and GI symptoms. Statistical analysis was performed by using chi-square test and logistic regression model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The frequency of heartburn was 28% and is different between men and women (P < 0.05). Also there was a relationship between self report tension and anxiety, BMI and depression with heartburn in univariate analysis (p < 0.05), but in multivariate analysis only age, self report tension and anxiety had a significant relationship with heartburn.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Heartburn is very frequent in Iranian population and has a considerable impact on everyday life. Many factors that may affect the prevalence of heartburn should be considered for prevention and control of this disease.
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Gastroenterology and Hepathology, 7th Floor, Taleghani Hospital, Chamran Highway, Tabnak St, Yaman Ave, Velenjak, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Safaee
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Moghimi-Dehkordi
authors.forename: M Ap
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Pourhoseingholi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Habibi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Qafarnejad
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pourhoseingholi
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Zali
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006356:Heartburn / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D057566:Self Report; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires