Published online Sep 15, 1996. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v2.iSuppl1.144
Revised: May 21, 1996
Accepted: July 19, 1996
Published online: September 15, 1996
AIM: We carried out this study to evaluate the prevalence of reflux esophagitis (RE) and/or hiatal hernia (HH) in Korea and to examine the relationship between endoscopic HH with and without concomitant esophagitis.
METHODS: This study was carried out prospectively in 1, 010 patients referred for upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy at Severance Hospital because of symptoms referable to the gastrointestinal tract from September 1994 to March 1996. The presence of HH was defined as a circular extension of the gastric mucosa of 2 cm or more above the diaphragmatic hiatus.
RESULTS: Hiatal hernia was found in 5.4%, reflux esophagitis 4.1%, duodenal ulcer (DU) 7.3%, and gastric ulcer (GU) 8.3%. The prevalence of HH but not RE appeared to be increased with age. Both HH and the degree of esophagitis on endoscopy. Duodenal ulcer was the most frequent concomitant finding among other gastrointestinal conditions.
CONCLUSION: The prevalence of RE and/or HH in South Korea is relatively lower, compared with peptic ulcer disease, and other reports from western countries. Our study confirms a close association between HH and RE.