Symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux amongst hospital personnel in South India.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Prevalence of gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) disease is on the rise in South Asian countries. Though there are reports of GER prevalence amongst various ethnic populations there are fewer reports on its prevalence in different occupational groups. Materials and Methods: To study the prevalence of GER amongst hospital personnel at the tertiary referral hospital in south India. Results: Of the 1468 hospital personnel, the overall prevalence of GER was 28.5%. It was highest amongst the clerical staff (31.3%) and least among nursing students (3%). Eighty five percent of the symptomatic GER personnel were young; those below the age of 35 years had symptoms for less than 6 months while those above 55 years had symptoms for more than 6 months. Combination of reflux symptoms with ulcer or dysmotility type dyspepsia was the dominant type amongst all cadres. The nursing staff (62.5%) preferred antacids whereas the doctors (63%) preferred PPI. Conclusion: GER prevalence is not uncommon amongst the hospital personnel. It is significantly more common amongst doctors, clerical staff and housekeepers.