The prevalence of gastrooesophageal reflux (GOR) related symptoms in healthy South-East Hungarian subjects

Introduction: Most population based epidemiologic studies indicate approximately 20% prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) 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 data on the prevalence of GOR related symptoms in South-East Hungary.

Methods: One-hundred and one healthy blood donor volunteers (M/F: 70/31, mean age: 35 (18 – 62) years) were enrolled. Data collection was carried out by means of a questionnaire. Typical (heartburn, regurgitation) and atypical (oesophageal, extraoesophageal) symptoms were assessed.

Results: In the studied healthy subjects typical symptoms of GOR such as heartburn and acidic regurgitation occurred in 27% and 21% respectively. The majority of them (21/27 and 14/21) had a symptom frequency of less than 1 per month. Heartburn was present at least monthly in 6, at least weekly in 4 patients, while acidic regurgitation occurred in 6 and 1 cases. Of the atypical (oesophageal and extraoesophageal) symptoms upper airway symptoms were the most prevalent (22%), although only 3 subjects had such symptom at least monthly. Globus occurred in 7%, while other atypical symptoms were present in less than 3% of the subjects.

Conclusions: Although most studies indicate a relatively high prevalence of GOR related symptoms in the general population, our preliminary data shows, that such symptoms occur significantly less often in South-East Hungarian subjects.