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Data on acid reflux disease described by researchers at Zhejiang University



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2008 FEB 3 -- In this recent article published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, scientists in Hangzhou, People's Republic of China conducted a study "To analyze the spectrum and risk factors of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) based on presenting symptoms and endoscopic findings. A cross-sectional survey in a cluster random sample was conducted from November 2004 to June 2005 using a validated Chinese version Reflux Disease Questionnaire (RDQ) and other items recording the demographic characteristics and potential risk factors for GERD."

"Subjects were defined as having GERD symptoms according to the RDQ score (> 12). All subjects were endoscopied and the definition and severity of erosive esophagitis were evaluated by Los Angeles classification. The statistical analysis was performed with SPSS13.0 programs. Of 2231 recruited participants, 701 (31.40%) patients were diagnosed as having GERD while 464 (20.80%) patients had objective findings of reflux esophagitis (RE). Of those 464 patients, only 291 (13.00%) were reported as subjects with GERD symptoms. A total of 528 (23.70%) patients were found to have GERD symptoms, including 19.50% patients with grade A or B reflux esophagitis, 0.90% with grade C and 0.40% with grade D. On multivariate analysis, old age, male, moderate working burden, divorced/widowed and strong tea drinking remained as significant independent risk factors for erosive esophagitis. Meanwhile, routine usage of greasy food and constipation were considered as significant independent risk factors for non-erosive reflux disease (NERD)," wrote J. Du and colleagues, Zhejiang University.

The researchers concluded: "GERD is one of the common GI diseases with a high occurrence rate in China and its main associated factors include sex, anthropometrical variables and sociopsychological characteristics."

Du and colleagues published their study in World Journal of Gastroenterology (Risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux disease, reflux esophagitis and non-erosive reflux disease among Chinese patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 2007;13(45):6009-6015).

Additional information can be obtained by contacting Y.M. Li, Zhejiang University, College Medical, Affiliated Hospital 1, Dept. of Gastroenterology, Hangzhou 310003, People's Republic of China.

The publisher of the World Journal of Gastroenterology can be contacted at: W J G Press, Apt 1066, Yishou Garden, No 58, North Langxinzhuang Rd., PO Box 2345, Beijing 100023, People's Republic of China.

Keywords: People's Republic of China, Hangzhou, Acid Reflux Disease, Acid Reflux, Endoscopy, Esophagitis, Gastroenterology, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, Surgery, Zhejiang University.

This article was prepared by Medical Devices & Surgical Technology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Medical Devices & Surgical Technology Week via NewsRx.com.