Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in children, adults, and elderly in the same community.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in adults is increasing in Japan as well as worldwide likely due to increasing obesity and the decreasing rate of Helicobacter pylori infection. However, data regarding the prevalence of GERD in children and adolescents in Japan are lacking. We investigated the prevalence of GERD in children, adults, and elderly living in the same community. METHODS: We surveyed employees of Shimane University Hospital and a related facility and their families using the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Questionnaire (GerdQ) and Izumo Scale instruments with demographic information (age, sex, body height, and body weight) and information regarding concurrent medication being taken for GERD. The presence of GERD was defined as a GerdQ score of ≥ 8. RESULTS: A total of 1859 subjects (771 males, 1088 females; 6-96 years old) were eligible for assessment. The prevalence of GERD in those under 20 years old was 4.4%, which was approximately one third of the rate in adults (11.6%). GERD prevalence was closely associated with obesity in adults, but not in subjects under 20 years old. GERD and other gastrointestinal symptoms frequently overlapped in both adults and younger subjects. CONCLUSION: We found that the prevalence of GERD in subjects under 20 years of age was lower than that in adults and not associated with obesity. Nevertheless, it is important to be aware of symptoms such as heartburn and/or regurgitation when children and adolescents seek routine clinical care.

Association between sleep disturbances and abdominal symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: Although gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is known to cause sleep disturbances, the relationships between other abdominal symptoms and sleep disorders have not been clarified. In the present study, we examined the relationships between daytime sleepiness and various abdominal symptoms in a non-clinical population. METHODS: We enrolled 2,936 subjects who visited Matsue Red Cross Hospital for an annual health check examination during a 10-month consecutive period after excluding those with organic gastrointestinal diseases. The Izumo scale abdominal symptom and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) questionnaires were employed to evaluate the presence of abdominal symptoms and daytime sleepiness. RESULTS: Among the 2,936 subjects, 233 (7.9%), 254 (8.6%) and 528 (18%) had GERD-like, functional dyspepsia (FD)-like and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)-like symptoms, respectively. The ESS scores in the subjects with GERD-, FD- and IBS-like symptoms were significantly higher than those observed in the asymptomatic subjects. The subjects with multiple abdominal symptoms tended to have higher ESS scores than those with single symptoms. A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a younger age and the presence of FD- and IBS-like symptoms to be significant influencing factors for sleep disturbances. CONCLUSION: The presence of FD and IBS symptoms in addition to GERD symptoms exhibits a strong relationship with sleep disturbances from the viewpoint of daytime sleepiness.

Observations of Acid Reflux and Motor Function in Distal Esophagus Using Simultaneous Measurements of Intra-esophageal pH and Pressure in 8 Directions With Novel Sensor Catheter - A Feasibility Study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Esophagogastric junctional lesions, such as mucosal breaks with Los Angeles grade A or B reflux esophagitis, lacerations in Mallory Weiss syndrome, and short segment Barrett's esophagus, are mainly found in the right anterior wall of the distal esophagus. Asymmetrical lower esophageal sphincter pressure and resting radial asymmetrical acid reflux may be causes of this asymmetrical distribution of reflux esophagitis and short segment Barrett's esophagus. We developed a novel pH and pressure catheter to investigate the asymmetrical distributions of pH and intra-esophageal pressure in the distal esophagus. METHODS: One healthy male volunteer was enrolled in this study. Acid reflux and motor function in distal esophagus was investigated using simultaneous measurements of intra-esophageal pH and pressure in 8 directions with novel sensor catheter. RESULTS: Thirty-six acid and weak acid reflux events were observed, of which 22 were circumferential refluxes with pH drops in all channels and 14 were partial refluxes with pH drops in some channels. Increase in transient circumferential intraesophageal pressure was observed just after 72.7% of the circumferential reflux and 42.9% of the partial reflux events. CONCLUSIONS: Using a novel sensor catheter, 2 different types of acid reflux events were identified in the present study.