title: Symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux amongst hospital personnel in South India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prevalence of gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) disease is on the rise in South Asian countries. Though there are reports of GER prevalence amongst various ethnic populations there are fewer reports on its prevalence in different occupational groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  To study the prevalence of GER amongst hospital personnel at the tertiary referral hospital in south India.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 1468 hospital personnel, the overall prevalence of GER was 28.5%. It was highest amongst the clerical staff (31.3%) and least among nursing students (3%). Eighty five percent of the symptomatic GER personnel were young; those below the age of 35 years had symptoms for less than 6 months while those above 55 years had symptoms for more than 6 months. Combination of reflux symptoms with ulcer or dysmotility type dyspepsia was the dominant type amongst all cadres. The nursing staff (62.5%) preferred antacids whereas the doctors (63%) preferred PPI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GER prevalence is not uncommon amongst the hospital personnel. It is significantly more common amongst doctors, clerical staff and housekeepers.
authors: Department of Gastroenterology, Stanley Medical College Hospital, Chennai, India.
authors: C M
authors: CM
authors: Bhalaghuru
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Vijaya
authors: Venkataraman
authors: V
authors: Jayanthi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D055815:Young Adult