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Prevalence of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptoms and Uninvestigated Dyspepsia in Korea: A Population-Based Study

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Abstract

Various reports on the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and uninvestigated dyspepsia have been conducted in Western countries. We sought to determine the frequency of GERD symptoms and uninvestigated dyspepsia in Korea. Telephone interviews were conducted with 1,044 individuals. Of all subjects, 7.1% reported that GERD symptoms were present at least once a week, and 3.8% at least twice a week. The prevalence of heartburn according to educational level and acid regurgitation according to age was significantly different (P < 0.05). The prevalence of uninvestigated dyspepsia was reported as 12.2%. Dyspepsia was divided into subgroups of 34% ulcer-like, 56% dysmotility-like, and 10% nonspecific. The occurrence of dyspepsia did not vary according to age, gender, educational level and household income. As frequency of GERD symptoms increased, quality of life significantly decreased. We concluded that GERD symptoms and uninvestigated dyspepsia were prevalent in Korea. The prevalence was similar to that of other Asian countries.

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Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the research fund of Hanyang University (HY-2005-1).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Hanyang University Hospital, 17 Haengdang-Dong, Sungdong-Ku, Seoul, 133-792, Korea

    Sun Young Yang, Oh Young Lee, Dae Won Jun, Sang Pyo Lee, Sung Hee Lee, Geun Tae Park, Byung Chul Yoon, Ho Soon Choi, Jun Soo Hahm, Min Ho Lee & Dong Hoo Lee

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

    Young Tae Bak

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  1. Sun Young Yang
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  2. Oh Young Lee
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Correspondence to Oh Young Lee.

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Yang, S.Y., Lee, O.Y., Bak, Y.T. et al. Prevalence of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptoms and Uninvestigated Dyspepsia in Korea: A Population-Based Study. Dig Dis Sci 53, 188–193 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-007-9842-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-007-9842-0

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