Higher Frequency of Reflux Symptoms and Acid-Related Dyspepsia in Women than Men Regardless of Endoscopic Esophagitis: Analysis of 3,505 Japanese Subjects Undergoing Medical Health Checkups.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS:

This study aimed at (i) clarifying the factors associated with high scores on the modified frequency scale for the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (FSSG) among 3,505 relatively healthy subjects undergoing routine medical health checkups with gastrointestinal endoscopy and (ii) comparing risk factors for high FSSG scores between subjects with and without reflux esophagitis.

METHODS:

In total, 3,505 subjects (male/female: 1,922/1,583) who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy during health medical checkups at 5 hospitals in Saga, Japan from January 2013 to December 2013 were enrolled. All subjects completed a modified FSSG questionnaire, which comprised 7 questions regarding reflux symptoms and 7 questions regarding acid-related dyspepsia. Each question was assigned a score based on the frequency of symptoms.

RESULTS:

Younger age, female gender, hiatal herniation, and endoscopic reflux esophagitis were risk factors for a FSSG score with a high total. Subjects with high scores but without esophagitis were women, and hiatal herniation and Barrett's esophagus were frequently seen in patients with reflux esophagitis.

CONCLUSION:

Younger age, female gender, hiatal hernia, and endoscopic esophagitis were risk factors for a high FSSG score, and women tended to complain of upper gastrointestinal symptoms more frequently than did men among subjects without endoscopic esophagitis.

• Authors: Eri Takeshita, Yasuhisa Sakata, Megumi Hara, Kayo Akutagawa, Natsuko Sakata, Hiroyoshi Endo, Takashi Ohyama, Keiji Matsunaga, Tomomi Yoshioka, Hirohatu Kawakubo, Yuichiro Tanaka, Shimpei Shirai, Yoichiro Ito, Nanae Tsuruoka, Ryuichi Iwakiri, Motoyasu Kusano, Kazuma Fujimoto
• Journal: Digestion (Digestion) Vol. 93 Issue 4 Pg. 266-71 ( 2016) ISSN: 1421-9867 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 27160990 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Topics

• Adult
• Age Factors
• Barrett Esophagus (diagnosis, epidemiology)
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Dyspepsia (diagnosis, epidemiology)
• Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal
• Esophagitis, Peptic (diagnosis, epidemiology)
• Female
• Gastroesophageal Reflux (diagnosis, epidemiology)
• Hernia, Hiatal (diagnosis, epidemiology)
• Humans
• Japan (epidemiology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Physical Examination (methods)
• Risk Factors
• Severity of Illness Index
• Sex Factors
• Surveys and Questionnaires