title: Prevalence and risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux disease in an impoverished minority population.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  An epidemiological link between an increased body mass index and complaints of typical heartburn symptoms has been identified. It appears that increasing waist circumference, rather than overall weight is most important. Studies to date have not included minority, impoverished communities. Our aim was to determine the impact of obesity on the prevalence of reflux disease in an impoverished community while controlling for known confounders.
  
  
  METHODS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey delivered by in-home interviews, convenience sampling, and targeted mailing. Data queried include demographics, medical history, lifestyle habits, and symptoms of reflux disease. Height, weight, hip and waist circumference measured in participating subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  503 subjects living in the zip code immediately surrounding Temple University Hospital. Included only adults living in the hospital's zip code for at least 3 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The highest quartile of waist circumference (≥42 in.) demonstrated a strong association with GERD (AOR = 2.15; 95% CI 1.18-3.90). Smoking increased the odds by 1.72 (95% CI 1.13-2.62). There was no relationship between body mass index, waist-hip ratio, or diet and reflux classification.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increasing waist circumference, but not overall body mass index or waist-hip ratio, and smoking are risk factors for prevalent GERD. No association between reflux disease and lifestyle choices such as coffee drinking and fast food dining were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Potential for recall bias and disease misclassification. Possible methodological errors in self-measurement of waist and hip circumference.
authors.affiliation: Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States. Electronic address:frank.friedenberg@tuhs.temple.edu.
authors.forename: Frank K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Friedenberg
authors.affiliation: Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
authors.forename: Jitha
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rai
authors.affiliation: Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
authors.forename: Vishwas
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vanar
authors.affiliation: Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bongiorno
authors.affiliation: Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
authors.forename: Deborah B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.affiliation: Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
authors.forename: Mayur
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Parepally
authors.affiliation: Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
authors.forename: Arashdeep
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Poonia
authors.affiliation: Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
authors.forename: Amol
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
authors.forename: Shaun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gohel
authors.affiliation: Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
authors.forename: Joel E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Richter