Prevalence and Correlates of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Southern Iran: Pars Cohort Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is increasing worldwide. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of GERD in Pars Cohort Study (PCS) and to find its correlates.

METHODS:

We used the baseline data from PCS. PCS was conducted in the district of Valashahr in Fars province in southern Iran from 2012 to 2014. 9264 inhabitants who were 40-75 years old, and agreed to participate were enrolled. Data were collected by a structured questionnaire and simple physical examination of all participants.

RESULTS:

Generally, 58.50% (95% CI 57.49-59.51) of the participants had GERD and 25.10% (95% CI 24.22-25.99) experienced it at least weekly. Approximately, 32.0%, 52.0%, and 24.4% of the participants reported heart burn sensation, regurgitation, and both symptoms, respectively. Being female (OR: 1.45, 95% CI 1.27-1.65), being older (OR: 1.20, 95% CI 1.06-1.36), being divorced/ widowed/ separated (OR: 1.38, 95% CI 1.01-1.91), and lower education (OR: 1.43, 95% CI 1.02-2.03) were associated with frequent GERD.

CONCLUSION:

GERD is common in PCS and its prevalence is close to that in western countries. Being female, higher age, being divorced/ widowed/ separated, lower education, history of hypertension, anxiety, insomnia, and non-cigarette tobacco smoking were associated with frequent GERD. We are going to investigate the causal relationship between these risk factors and GERD in the next stages of PCS.