title: An epidemiological study of gastroesophageal reflux disease and related risk factors in urban population of mashhad, iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a chronic and common disease, which is characterized by heartburn and regurgitation. In the last couple of decades, GERD has received much attention and studies have shown an increase in its prevalence. Although there have been a few studies on the prevalence of GERD in Iran, no study has yet been done in the northeastern part of the country. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of GERD and its risk factors in a population from Mashhad.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the epidemiology of GERD based on a population study in Mashhad.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross sectional descriptive study conducted in 2010. In total, 2500 participants were selected based on cluster sampling. Modified and validated Mayo Clinic questionnaire for GERD was used for data collection. Overall, 1685 questionnaires were retrieved. Fifty-one participants were excluded because of pregnancies, history of abdominal surgery and being less than 18 years old. We analyzed data using the SPSS software version 16. Prevalence of GERD and significant risk factors (P value < 0.05) were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 420 participants (25.7%) had GERD symptoms. Risk factors with significant effects consisted of smoking, consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NASIDs), overeating, chronic diseases, tea and coffee consumption and GERD in spouse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of GERD among people living in Mashhad was above the average prevalence in other cities of Iran. However, risk factors seemed to be similar to those reported by other studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vossoughinia
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Masoumeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salari
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medical Sciences, Nayshabur University of Medical Sciences, Nayshabur, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Elham
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mokhtari Amirmajdi
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Saadatnia
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Siavash
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abedini
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shariati
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammadjavad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shariati
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khosravi Khorashad
keywords: Gastroesophageal Reflux; Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease; Iran; Risk Factors