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Abstract
Background
Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most prevalent diseases seen in western countries. The prevalence of GERD is lower in the Asian population and the spectrum of the disease is mild. Data from Africa and the Middle East are sparse.
Aim
The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence, severity and risk factors of reflux esophagitis (RE) among patients undergoing endoscopy in a secondary referral hospital in Egypt.
Materials and methods
This was a retrospective study. Data on patients presenting with gastro-esophageal reflux symptoms (RS) and scheduled for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy between January 2000 and January 2013 were collected.
Results
Four hundred and thirty-three patients were assessed. Two hundred and fifty-four (59%) were male. Ages ranged from 18 to 85 years, mean 45 ± 15 years. One hundred and forty-four patients (33%) had a history of smoking, 120 (28%) were taking aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and 8 (2%) were consuming alcohol. The duration of RS ranged from one month to 20 years, mean 21 ± 30 months. One hundred and forty-six patients (34%) had the RS daily, 70 (16%) classified RS as severe intensity and 99 (23%) had acid regurgitation.
One hundred and six patients (24%) were found to have RE. Ninety-eight of them (23%) showed grade 1. Barrett’s esophagus (BE) was diagnosed in seven patients (2%) and esophageal stricture in one (0.2%). One hundred and four patients (24%) had hiatus hernia (HH), 16 (4%) gastric ulcers and 45 (10%) duodenal ulcers. In multivariate analysis, male sex and HH were two independent risk factors for the development of RE.
Conclusion
The prevalence of RE is low among patients undergoing endoscopy. Most of the patients had a mild degree of esophagitis. BE and stricture were rarely seen. Male sex and HH were risk factors of RE.
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank Prof. El-Hindawi A, Cairo University and Prof. AklM, Theodor Bilharz Research institute for their contribution in the pathological examination.
Notes
Peer review under responsibility of Alexandria University Faculty of Medicine.
Available online 25 October 2013