title: Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in a general population in Taiwan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in a general population in Taiwan.
  
  
  METHODS
  A validated symptom questionnaire, the Chinese GERD questionnaire, was utilized to determine the prevalence of GERD within a community in Taiwan. A cut-off value for GERD diagnosis was a total score ≥ 12. Additionally, demographic data, including sex, age, body mass index, and consumption of tobacco and alcohol, were recorded, and a logistic regression analysis was conducted to search the independent risk factors for the development of GERD in a general population.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 1238 residents were recruited for this study. The monthly frequencies of heartburn, epigastric acidic discomfort, and acid regurgitation were 4.4%, 3.7%, and 2.9%, respectively. The GERD prevalence was 25% in the community. The multivariate analysis showed that female sex and age of 40-49 years and 50-59 years were independent risk factors related to the development of GERD, with odd ratios of 1.71, 3.65, and 2.41, respectively (95% confidence intervals: 1.26-2.34, 1.62-8.21, and 1.11-2.54, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GERD has become a common disorder in the general population in Taiwan. Female sex and age of 40-49 years and 50-59 years are risk factors for the development of GERD within a community.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Li-Ju
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: Ping-I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Chun-Yuh
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: E-Ming
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Kwok-Hung
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lai
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult