Prevalence, clinical spectrum and health care utilization of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease in a Chinese population: a population‐based study

Abstract

Summary: Background : Population‐based data on gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease in Chinese are lacking. The prevalence, clinical spectrum and health care‐seeking behaviour of subjects with gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease were studied. Methods : Ethnic Chinese (3605) were invited to participate in a telephone survey using a validated gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease questionnaire and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results : A total of 2209 subjects (58% female; mean age, 40.3 years) completed the interview. The annual, monthly and weekly prevalence rates of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease were 29.8%, 8.9% and 2.5%, respectively. Gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease symptoms were associated with non‐cardiac chest pain [odds ratio (OR), 2.3; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.7–3.1], dyspepsia (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.4–2.5), globus (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.2–2.7), acid feeling in the stomach (OR, 5.8; 95% CI, 4.5–7.5) and the use of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.5–3.6), but not with dysphagia, bronchitis, asthma, hoarseness and pneumonia. Patients with gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease had a significantly higher anxiety and depression score and required more days off work when compared with subjects without. The frequency of heartburn (P = 0.032), female gender (P < 0.001), degree of depression (P = 0.004) and social morbidity (P < 0.001) were independent factors associated with health care‐seeking behaviour. Conclusion : The prevalence of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease was lower than that in Western populations, but carried a significant socio‐economic burden in the studied Chinese population. The frequency of heartburn, female gender and psychosocial factors were associated with health care utilization in gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease.