RESUMO
To determine the frequency and health care seeking behavior of patients with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms using American College of Gastroenterology [ACG] questionnaire for gastroesophageal reflux disease [GERD]. Cross-sectional study. Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from April 2002 to November 2003. A total of 1267 persons above 15 years of age were interviewed using a modified questionnaire for GERD from the American College of Gastroenterology [ACG], which previously validated in our section as a screening tool in an urban population in Pakistan. Nine hundred and sixty-three individuals responded to the questionnaire. Mean age of the surveyed sample was 24 ' 9.3 years. Using the ACG criteria, the overall frequency of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms was 24% [228/963] with 58% [133/228] males and 42% [95/228] females. Symptoms experienced frequently were reflux from the stomach, 58% [133/228], with a bitter, acid taste in the mouth. Seventy-four percent [169/228] experienced this postprandially. Symptoms were associated with spicy fried food in 71% [161/228]. Sixty-seven percent [152/228] did not seek health care advice, 32% [74/228] practiced self-medications and 33% [76/228] consulted a physician. Gastroesophageal reflux is a common problem in the urban population of Pakistan