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Epidemiology of gastro-esophageal reflux disease

  • World Progress In Surgery
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Abstract

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease encompasses a spectrum of disorders in which gastric reflux leads to symptoms and/or damage to the esophageal mucosa. Although a common problem in clinical practice, our understanding of the pathophysiology of the condition has not been matched by our knowledge of its epidemiology and natural history. This review examines some of the difficulties inherent in epidemiological studies with particular emphasis on the nature and variety of reflux symptoms and their relationship to esophagitis, the natural history and complications of reflux disease, Barrett's esophagus, and the possible role of gastroesophageal reflux in lung disease, especially asthma.

Résumé

Les manifestations du reflux gastro-oesophagien comprennent toute une série de désordres liés au reflux du contenu gastrique qui entraîne des symptômes et/ou des lésions de la muqueuse oesophagienne. Bien qu'il s'agisse d'un problème fréquemment rencontré en pratique, notre compréhension de sa physiopathologie reste en deçà de notre connaissance de son épidémiologie et de son histoire naturelle. Cette revue examine quelques unes des difficultés inhérentes aux études épidémiologiques en insistant sur le type et la variété des symptomes de reflux et leur rapport avec l'oesophagite, l'évolution naturelle et les complications du reflux, l'endobrachyoesophage et le rôle possible du reflux dans certaines manifestations respiratoires comme l'asthme.

Resumen

La enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico comprende una variedad de alteraciones en las cuales el reflujo gástrico causa síntomas y/o daño de la mucosa esofágica. Aunque es un problema de ocurrencia comun en la práctica clínica, neustra comprensión de la patofisiologia de la entidad contrasta con el precario conocimiento que poseemos sobre su epidemiología e historia natural. La presente revisión analiza algunas de las dificultades inherentes a los estudios epidemiológicos, con particular énfasis sobre la naturaleza y variedad de los síntomas de reflujo y su relación con la esofagitis, la historia natural y las complicaciones de la enfermedad por reflujo, del esófago de Barrett y del posible papel del reflujo gastroesofágico en la causación de enfermedad pulmonar, especialmente el asma.

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  1. Department of Medicine, The Royal Infirmary, University of Edinburgh, EH3 9YW, Edinburgh, Scotland

    P. J. Howard M.A., M.D. (M.R.C.P.) & R. C. Heading B.Sc., M.D. (F.R.C.P.)

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Howard, P.J., Heading, R.C. Epidemiology of gastro-esophageal reflux disease. World J. Surg. 16, 288–293 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02071535

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