title: Gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms: prevalence, sociodemographics and treatment patterns in the adult Israeli population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the prevalence and sociodemographics of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and to identify treatment patterns among GERD patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A telephone survey of a representative sample of the adult Israeli population was conducted. The questionnaire included detailed sociodemographics, history of GERD symptoms and the various treatments used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The survey included 2027 subjects. Twice weekly, once weekly and monthly GERD symptoms were reported by 8.4%, 12.5% and 21.5% of subjects, respectively. There was no difference in prevalence between men and woman; however, GERD symptoms were significantly more prevalent within the older age group and lower socioeconomic status. Among those reporting weekly symptoms, a quarter did not use any kind of therapy and another quarter used various traditional remedies (e.g. soda, milk, almonds, etc.). Antacids were used by 35.1%, H(2) blockers by 13.2% and PPIs by 17.5%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found that 12.5% of the adult Israeli population experience weekly GERD symptoms. GERD prevalence and sociodemographics are similar to those described in other Western countries, and treatment is still suboptimal.
authors: Department of Gastroenterology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel. moshkov7@gmail.com
authors: Menachem
authors: M
authors: Moshkowitz
authors: Noya
authors: N
authors: Horowitz
authors: Zamir
authors: Z
authors: Halpern
authors: Erwin
authors: E
authors: Santo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005762:Gastroenterology / Q000379:methods; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome