Changes in prevalence, incidence and spontaneous loss of gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms: a prospective population-based cohort study, the HUNT study

Abstract

Objective Changes in the occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms (GERS) in the population remain uncertain. This study aimed to determine the prevalence changes, the incidence, and the spontaneous loss of GERS.Design This population-based cohort study was conducted within the NordTrøndelag health study (the HUNT study), a longitudinal series of population-based health surveys in Nord-Trøndelag County, Norway. The study base encompassed all adult residents in the county, and the participants reported the degree of GERS during the previous 12 months. The number of participants included were 58869 (64% response rate) in 1995 and 44997 (49%) in 2006-2009 persons (61%) were prospectively followed up for an average of 11 years.Results Between 1995Between -1997Between and 2006Between -2009, the prevalence of any, severe and at least weekly GERS increased by 30% (from 31.4% to 40.9%), 24% (from 5.4% to 6.7%) and 47% (from 11.6% to 17.1%), respectively. The average annual incidence of any and severe GERS was 3.07% and 0.23%, respectively. In women, but not men, the incidence of GERS increased with increasing age. The average annual spontaneous loss (not due to antireflux medication) of any and severe GERS was 2.32% and 1.22%, respectively. The spontaneous loss of GERS decreased with increasing age. Between 1995Between -1997Between and 2006Between -2009 the prevalence of GERS increased substantially. At least weekly GERS increased by 47%. The average annual incidence of severe GERS was 0.23%, and the corresponding spontaneous loss was 1.22%. The incidence and spontaneous loss of GERS were influenced by sex and age. Conclusion Occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms 4What is already known about this subject?• The prevalence of at least weekly gastroesophageal reflux symptoms (GERS) among adults has been reported to be in the range of 10-20% in the Western world.• GERS are associated with a decreased health-related quality of life.• GERS are established risk factors of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. What are the new findings?• The prevalence of at least weekly GERS increased by 47% (from 11.6% to 17.1%) between 1995-1997 and 2006-2009. • The average annual incidence of severe GERS was 0.23%. In women, but not men, the incidence of GERS increased with increasing age.• The average annual spontaneous loss of severe GERS (not due to antireflux medication) was 1.22%. The spontaneous loss of GERS decreased with increasing age. How might it impact on clinical practice in the foreseeable future?• The increasing prevalence of GERS found in this study may call for a strengthened effort to investigate and treat this patient population, both due to the impact on health related quality of life and the increasing incidence of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus related to GERS.

Weight Loss and Reduction in Gastroesophageal Reflux. A Prospective Population-Based Cohort Study: The HUNT Study

“…In addition, GERS were assessed in a 'non-responder study' (Mini-Q) after HUNT 3 in 2009, where those who did not participate in HUNT 3 were invited. (2,16) The individuals who participated in HUNT 2 and were followed up in Mini-Q were also eligible for inclusion in the present study (figure 1).…”

“…Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a highly prevalent disease in Western populations, (1,2) associated with a decreased health-related quality of life (3,4) and an increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma. (5,6) The Montreal definition and classification of GERD states that: "GERD is a condition which develops when the reflux of stomach contents causes troublesome symptoms and/or complications" and the definition recognizes that heartburn and acid regurgitation are characteristic symptoms of GERD.…”

Tobacco Smoking Cessation and Improved Gastroesophageal Reflux: A Prospective Population-Based Cohort Study: The HUNT Study

“…(25) This suggests that the majority of those reporting severe GERS actually have GERD according to the Montreal definition and classification of GERD. (25,26,29) …”

Genetic, anthropometric and metabolic features of adult Norwegian patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency

“…An age-matched control population for evaluations of height, weight, waist-hip measurement, blood pressure, HDL, alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) and calcium was drawn from the third North-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT) in 2006-2008, which included clinical investigations of 23 702 women and 12 966 men between 18 and 72 years of age (20). The Lunar database was used as reference for BMD and fat mass measurements; a previous study demonstrated that BMD in the femur and total body of the subjects in this database was comparable with the general Norwegian population (21).…”