Prevalence of gastro‐oesophageal reflux symptoms: An Italian cross‐sectional survey focusing on knowledge and attitudes towards lifestyle and nutrition

Abstract

Introduction The gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a public health issue for its prevalence and association with low life quality and substantial costs. Since most of Italian data refer to over a decade ago, the aim was to provide an updated estimate of GERD symptoms prevalence. Knowledge about appropriate nutrition and behaviours in presence of GERD was assessed. Predictors for symptoms presence and knowledge were explored. Methods This study was an online cross‐sectional survey that investigated socio‐demographics, knowledge about nutrition/behaviours in case of GERD (Knowledge Score KS: percentage of right answers), nutrition/lifestyle attitudes. The questionnaire included the GerdQ to assess symptoms (presence if score ≥8). Adults resident in Italy were enrolled between June and August 2019 through convenience sampling on the major social networks (sample size = 559). Descriptive analyses were run. Multivariable regressions were performed to explore predictors of symptoms presence and KS. Results The 27.7% had GERD symptoms. Among them, 33.8% never received GERD information by their general practitioner (GP). Body mass index (P = .036), secondary education (P = .040) were associated with higher symptoms risk. Weekly exercise was associated with lower risk (P < .001). Median KS was 92% (IQR = 12). Sleeping on the left side, chocolate, citrus fruit, mint reported the lowest right answers percentages. None/basic education was negatively associated with KS (P < .001), being female (P = .004) and in a relationship (P = .012) positively. Conclusions A high prevalence was reported, consistently with the worldwide increasing trend. Despite overall knowledge was high, specific gaps were found. GPs should improve communication and awareness campaigns targeted to less known aspects must be planned.

Association between physical activity and risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Finally, 33 studies were deemed eligible for data extraction and inclusion in this systematic review and meta-analysis. 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 Among these, data from 22 articles conformed to the definition of GERD in the context of the current study. 30 , 31 , 33 , 34 , 36 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 A flowchart illustrating the study selection process is shown in Fig.…”

“…Two studies adopted a case-control design, 34 , 51 4 studies adopted a cohort study design, 29 , 46 , 47 , 61 and the remaining studies were cross-sectional. 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 The sample sizes of the individual studies ranged from 211 to 50,001, with a total of 66,098 cases of symptomatic GER (including 14,192 cases of GERD) and 167,855 participants across all included studies. In terms of GERD diagnosis, 4 studies relied on physician diagnosis, 34 , 40 , 50 , 51 5 studies used the Montreal definition, 41 , 43 , 44 , 52 , 53 and 13 studies employed authoritative questionnaires for diagnosis.…”

“…In terms of GERD diagnosis, 4 studies relied on physician diagnosis, 34 , 40 , 50 , 51 5 studies used the Montreal definition, 41 , 43 , 44 , 52 , 53 and 13 studies employed authoritative questionnaires for diagnosis. 30 , 31 , 33 , 36 , 42 , 48 , 49 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 The results of the quality assessment analyses were presented in Supplementary Tables 3 and 4 . Most studies were assessed as having a low-to-medium risk of bias.…”

“…Eight studies 30 36 , 42 , 51 , 54 , 56 , 57 , 59 with more than 2 categories of PA time were included in the dose–response analysis, comprising a total of 7806 participants (2794 cases with GERD). The analysis uncovered a linear relationship between PA duration and GERD prevalence ( χ 2 test; p = 0.004, Akaike information criterion = −8.17).…”

Prescription Appropriateness of Drugs for Peptic Ulcer and Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease: Baseline Assessment in the LAPTOP-PPI Cluster Randomized Trial

“…Moreover, many of these procedures (such as endoscopy) were invasive or discomforting for patients, and therefore probably prescribed only if strictly necessary. Indeed, although data on prevalence of GERD were generally scanty and showed a high uncertainty and variability—ranging from less than 20% up to 28% - due to the lack of a standardized definition and of a diagnostic gold standard for this disorder, we cannot exclude an underestimation of GERD in our population of older people ( Valle et al, 1999 ; Zagari et al, 2008 ; Tosetti and Nanni, 2017 ; Eusebi et al, 2018 ; Bert et al, 2021 ). Also, the Global Burden of disease (GBD) included Italy among the countries with highest prevalence of GERD and stated how it increase with age showing a peak among those aged 75–79 years ( GBD 2017 Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease Collaborators, 2020 ).…”