Gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) related symptoms are less common in south-east Hungarian subjects than expected on the basis of epidemiologic studies of the western countries

Introduction: Most population based epidemiologic studies indicate approximately 20% prevalence of GER related typical symptoms appearing at least monthly. Since most of these works were carried out in the western countries, a little is known about Central-Europe, where substantial part of the population still lives outside of the larger cities. The aim of the study was to obtain population based data on the prevalence of GER related symptoms in South-East Hungary. Methods: Seven-hundred and fifty-one consecutive blood donor volunteers (M/F: 450/301, mean age: 38 (17 – 65) years) were enrolled. Data collection was carried out by means of a questionnaire. Typical (heartburn, regurgitation) and atypical (esophageal, extraesophageal) symptoms were assessed. Results: Typical symptoms of GER such as heartburn and acidic regurgitation were reported by 23% (174/751) and 20% (152/751) of the studied healthy subjects. The half of them 80/174 and 92/152 had such symptoms less than once per month. Monthly heartburn episodes were reported by 12, and weekly by 7 percent of the cases, while acidic regurgitation occurred in 8 and 3 percent respectively. Of the atypical (esophageal and extraesophageal) symptoms upper airway symptoms were the most prevalent (21%), although only 8% had such symptom at least monthly. Globus occurred in 8%, while other atypical symptoms were reported by less than 5% of the subjects. Typical GER symptoms occurred more frequently in females, coffee drinkers, former smokers and subjects with moderate obesity. Current smoking, alcohol use were not associated with increased GER symptom prevalence. Conclusions: In contrast to the studies carried out in the western countries South-East Hungarian subjects seem to have less GER related symptoms.