title: Epidemiology and mechanisms of gastroesophageal reflux disease in the elderly: a perspective.
abstract: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) seems to be more common in older individuals. Disturbed esophageal motility; anatomical disorders, such as hiatal hernia, increased obesity, defective mucosal integrity, and alteration in salivary secretion; and concomitant medications all attribute to the higher rate of GERD in the elderly. In this review, we discuss the underlying mechanisms that could explain this higher rate of GERD in the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bashashati
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sarosiek
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas. Richard.mccallum@ttuhsc.edu.
authors.forename: Richard W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: McCallum
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006551:Hernia, Hiatal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: elderly; epidemiology; gastroesophageal reflux disease; pathophysiology; severity