Brief Article
Copyright ©2011 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Mar 14, 2011; 17(10): 1332-1335
Published online Mar 14, 2011. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i10.1332
Gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms: Prevalence, sociodemographics and treatment patterns in the adult Israeli population
Menachem Moshkowitz, Noya Horowitz, Zamir Halpern, Erwin Santo
Menachem Moshkowitz, Noya Horowitz, Zamir Halpern, Erwin Santo, Department of Gastroenterology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, 64239, Tel-Aviv, Israel
Author contributions: Moshkowitz M, Horowitz N and Santo E analyzed data; Horowitz N performed statistical analysis; Halpern Z contributed support and management; Moshkowitz M and Horowitz N wrote the paper.
Supported by Dexcel Pharma Ltd, Israel. Dr. M. Moshkowitz has served as a speaker for Dexcel Pharma Ltd, Israel
Correspondence to: Menachem Moshkowitz, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6, Weizmann St, Tel-Aviv 64239, Tel-Aviv, Israel. moshkov7@gmail.com
Telephone: +972-3-6974282 Fax: +972-3-6974469
Received: September 19, 2010
Revised: November 25, 2010
Accepted: December 2, 2010
Published online: March 14, 2011
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the prevalence and sociodemographics of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and to identify treatment patterns among GERD patients.

METHODS: A telephone survey of a representative sample of the adult Israeli population was conducted. The questionnaire included detailed sociodemographics, history of GERD symptoms and the various treatments used.

RESULTS: The survey included 2027 subjects. Twice weekly, once weekly and monthly GERD symptoms were reported by 8.4%, 12.5% and 21.5% of subjects, respectively. There was no difference in prevalence between men and woman; however, GERD symptoms were significantly more prevalent within the older age group and lower socioeconomic status. Among those reporting weekly symptoms, a quarter did not use any kind of therapy and another quarter used various traditional remedies (e.g. soda, milk, almonds, etc.). Antacids were used by 35.1%, H2 blockers by 13.2% and PPIs by 17.5%.

CONCLUSION: We found that 12.5% of the adult Israeli population experience weekly GERD symptoms. GERD prevalence and sociodemographics are similar to those described in other Western countries, and treatment is still suboptimal.

Keywords: Gastroesophageal reflux disease; Prevalence; Sociodemographics