Prevalence and risk factors of gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms among adolescents, the HUNT study

Abstract

Background

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is recognized by symptoms of heartburn and acid regurgitation. These gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms (GORS) are common in adults, but data from adolescents are sparse. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of GORS among adolescents in a large and unselected population.

Methods

This study was based on the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT), a longitudinal series of population-based health surveys conducted in Nord-Trøndelag County, Norway. This study included data from Young-HUNT4 performed in 2017–2019, where all inhabitants aged 13–19 years were invited and 8066 (76.0%) participated. The presence of GORS (any or frequent) during the past 12 months and tobacco smoking status were reported through self-administrated questionnaires, whereas body mass index (BMI) was objectively measured.

Results

Among 7620 participating adolescents reporting on the presence of GORS, the prevalence of any GORS and frequent GORS was 33.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 32.2 − 34.3%) and 3.6% (95% CI 3.2 − 4.0%), respectively. The risk of frequent GORS was lower among boys compared to girls (OR 0.61; 95% CI 0.46 − 0.79), higher in current smokers compared to never smokers (OR 1.80; 95% CI 1.10 − 2.93) and higher among obese compared to underweight/normal weight adolescents (OR 2.50; 95% CI 1.70 − 3.66).

Conclusion

A considerable proportion of adolescents had GORS in this population-based study, particularly girls, tobacco smokers, and individuals with obesity, but frequent GORS was relatively uncommon. Measures to avoid tobacco smoking and obesity in adolescents may prevent GORS.

Keywords:

• Epidemiology
• cross-sectional
• population-based
• heartburn
• acid regurgitation

Acknowledgments

The Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT) is a collaboration between HUNT Research Centre (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology NTNU), Trøndelag County Council, Central Norway Regional Health Authority, and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

Author contributions

Mrs. Ellen Sylvia Visnes conceptualized and designed the study, carried out the analyses, drafted the initial manuscript, and critically reviewed and revised the manuscript.

Mr. Andreas Hallan, Dr. Maria Bomme, Dr. Dag Holmberg, Dr. Jane Møller-Hansen, and Dr. Jesper Lagergren critically reviewed and revised the manuscript.

Dr. Eivind Ness-Jensen conceptualized and designed the study, supervised the analyses, and critically reviewed and revised the manuscript.

All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Data availability statement

The data is available through application to HUNT Research Centre: https://hunt-db.medisin.ntnu.no/hunt-db/#/

Additional information

Funding

None.