title: Epidemiology and symptom profile of gastroesophageal reflux in the Indian population: report of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology Task Force.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and its complications are thought to be infrequent in India; there are no data from India on the prevalence of and risk factors for GERD. The Indian Society of Gastroenterology formed a task force aiming to study: (a) the frequency and profile of GERD in India, (b) factors including diet associated with GERD.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective, multi-center (12 centers) study, data were obtained using a questionnaire from 3224 subjects regarding the frequency, severity and duration of heartburn, regurgitation and other symptoms of GERD. Data were also obtained regarding their dietary habits, addictions, and lifestyle, and whether any of these were related or had been altered because of symptoms. Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred and forty-five (7.6%) of 3224 subjects had heartburn and/or regurgitation at least once a week. On univariate analysis, older age (OR 1.012; 95% CI 1.003-1.021), consumption of non-vegetarian and fried foods, aerated drinks, tea/coffee were associated with GERD. Frequency of smoking was similar among subjects with or without GERD. Body mass index (BMI) was similar in subjects with and without GERD. On multivariate analysis, consumption of non-vegetarian food was independently associated with GERD symptoms. Overlap with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome was not uncommon; 21% reported difficulty in passage of stool and 9% had mucus in stools. About 25% of patients had consulted a doctor previously for their gastrointestinal symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  7.6% of Indian subjects have significant GERD symptoms. Consumption of non-vegetarian foods was an independent predictor of GERD. BMI was comparable among subjects with or without GERD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Seth G S Medical College and K E M Hospital, Mumbai 400 012, India. shobna.bhatia@gmail.com
authors.forename: Shobna J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Bhatia
authors.forename: D Nageshwar
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: Uday C
authors.initials: UC
authors.lastname: Ghoshal
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authors.lastname: Jayanthi
authors.forename: Philip
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authors.lastname: Abraham
authors.forename: Gourdas
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authors.lastname: Choudhuri
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Broor
authors.forename: Vineet
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ahuja
authors.forename: Philip
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authors.lastname: Augustine
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Balakrishnan
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Bhasin
authors.forename: Naresh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bhat
authors.forename: Ashok
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chacko
authors.forename: Sunil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dadhich
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Dhali
authors.forename: Pankaj S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Dhawan
authors.forename: Manisha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dwivedi
authors.forename: Mahesh K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Goenka
authors.forename: Abraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koshy
authors.forename: Ajay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Sri Prakash
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Misra
authors.forename: Shrikant
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mukewar
authors.forename: E PedaVeer
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Raju
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Shenoy
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Ajit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sood
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Srinivasan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006356:Heartburn / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D012955:Societies, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires