Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Cross-Sectional Study Demonstrating Rising Prevalence in a Chinese Population.
OBJECTIVE
The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is consistently lower in the Chinese than in white populations. Population-based data tracking the time trend of GERD prevalence in Chinese subjects is conflicting. This study examines the population prevalence, risk factors, and time trend associated with GERD in a Chinese population.


METHODS
A population-based cross-sectional study utilizing a validated GERD questionnaire administered by a telephone survey was performed on 3360 Chinese subjects from Hong Kong. GERD prevalence rates in 2011 were compared with prevalence rates in 2002 and 2006. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to determine the risk factors associated with weekly GERD.


RESULTS
A total of 2074 subjects (mean age, 48.1±18.2 y; range 18 to 94; 63.1% female) completed the survey (response rate 61.7%). The prevalence of GERD as defined by the Montreal definition was 3.8%. The prevalence of weekly GERD had increased by 1.3% between 2002 and 2011, which represents an at least 50% relative increase (P<0.0005). A diagnosis of weekly GERD was associated with noncardiac chest pain [odds ratio (OR), 1.7; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.034-2.9; P=0.037], dyspepsia (OR, 5.1; 95% CI, 3.0-8.8; P<0.005), and an acid feeling in the stomach (OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.8-5.1).


CONCLUSIONS
GERD rates in the ethnic Chinese have risen over the last decade. Despite this, variables associated with a survey diagnosis of GERD remain ostensibly unchanged. GERD research in East Asia should focus on the factors driving the rapid rise in prevalence rates and the association with more atypical symptoms of GERD.
Departments of *Medicine †Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR ‡Esophageal and Swallowing Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH.
Victoria Ping-Yi
VP
Tan
Benjamin ChunYu
BC
Wong
Wai Man
WM
Wong
Wai Keung
WK
Leung
Daniel
D
Tong
Man Fung
MF
Yuen
Ronnie
R
Fass
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006356:Heartburn / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult