Prevalence of reflux-related symptoms in South-Hungarian blood donor volunteers

Abstract

Background/Aim Population-based studies on the prevalence of GERD-related symptoms are still missing in Eastern Europe, therefore, we aimed to obtain such data in South-East Hungarian subjects. Methods A total of 2,002 apparently healthy blood donor volunteers were consecutively enrolled and completed detailed questionnaires related to general factors, demographic data, socioeconomical factors, and the presence and frequency of typical and atypical GERD-related symptoms. Results Among 2,002 study participants, 56.5% were completely asymptomatic. The prevalence of typical GERD symptoms appearing at least monthly or weekly was 16.5% and 6.8%, respectively. Two-thirds (209/330) of the patients experienced at least monthly occurring typical GERD symptoms and also had associated atypical symptoms and this was even more pronounced when comparing subgroups with higher symptom frequencies. Significant correlations were found between monthly GERD-related complaints and height, body mass index (BMI), coffee consumption, and smoking. Positive family history was another significant factor in all the symptom-frequency categories. GERD-related symptom frequency showed a linear association with sex (R2 = 0.75, P = 0.0049). Typical and atypical GERD symptoms were significantly more common in those with chronic diseases than those without. Heartburn was observed in 12.5% and 4.4% (P<0.05) and acid regurgitation was seen in 6.9% and 1.8% (P<0.05), respectively. Conclusion The prevalence of GERD-related symptoms in South Hungary was significantly lower than that in Western countries and was closer to Eastern values. The presence of mild, non-exclusionary chronic diseases significantly increased the prevalence of GERD-related symptoms, as well as positive family history of GERD, height, BMI, coffee consumption, and smoking.

A Dysphagia a gasztroenterológus szemszögéből

“…2,3 A dysphagia előfordulási gyakoriságára vonatkozóan hazai adatok alig állnak rendelkezésre, egy közelmúltban megjelent, véradókon készített kérdőíves felmérés 2%-os előfordulási gyakoriságot mutatott. 4 A dysphagia klinikai jelentőségét jól jelzik az Egyesült Államokban 2008-ban tartott dysphagia konferencia megállapításai. Ezek szerint legalább 15 millió állampolgár érintett, évente legalább 1 millió új esettel kell számolni és a dysphagia szövődményei miatt 60 ezren veszítik életüket egy év alatt.…”

The impact of consumed coffee on the digestive system - review of the latest research

“…Despite the chronic nature of GERD, numerous studies generally do not establish a clear association between coffee consumption and the onset or exacerbation of symptoms related to reflux esophageal disease [6,8].…”