The Risk Factors For Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Reflux Esophagitis And Non-erosive Reflux Disease (NERD) Amongst Chinese Patients Undergoing Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Examination

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of common gastrointestinal disorders lacking definitive gold standard for description and diagnosis. The purpose of the present study was to analyze a spectrum of GERD subjects based on presenting symptoms and endoscopic findings. The risk factors for GERD were also explored during this research. Methods: A cross-sectional survey in the cluster random sample was conducted from Nov 2004 to Jun 2005 using a validated Chinese version Reflux Disease Questionnaire (RDQ) and other items recording the demographic characteristics and potential risk factors for GERD symptoms. A subject defined as having GERD symptoms was according to the RDQ score (>12). All subjects have been endoscopied and the definition and severity of erosive esophagitis were evaluated by Los Angeles classification. The statistical analysis was performed with SPSS13.0 programs.Results: Of 2231 recruited participants, 701(31.40%) patients were diagnosed as having GERD while 464 (20.80%) patients had objective finding of reflux esophagitis. Of those 464 patients, only 291 (13.00%) reported as subject with GERD symptoms. There were total 528 (23.70%) patients found to be subject with GERD symptoms of these 2231 subjects. 19.50% of patients had grade A or B reflux esophagitis. Twenty patients had grade C (0.90%) and nine had grade D (0.40%). On multivariate analysis, old age, male, moderate working burden, divorced/widowed, strong tea remained as significant independent risk factors for erosive esophagitis. Meanwhile, routine usage greasy food and constipation remained as significant independent risk factors for NERD (non-erosive reflux disease).Conclusions: GERD is one of common GI diseases with high occurrence in China and its main associated factors are contain sex, anthropometrical variables and social-psychologicalcharacteristics.