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Objective: To assess prevalence of dyspepsia and distribution of dyspepsia and frequent dyspepsia in subgroups of adults (20 years and older) according to their demographic and socioeconomic characteristics., Methods: A cross-sectional population-based study was carried out comprising 3,934 subjects living in Pelotas, Southern Brazil, from October 1999 to January 2000. Data was collected through household interviews. Dyspepsia was defined as epigastric pain or discomfort associated or not with nausea in the previous year, according to Rome I and Rome II criteria. Frequent dyspepsia was defined as more than six dyspepsia episodes in the previous year and/or nausea, at least once a month. These outcomes were analyzed according to age, gender, skin color, educational level, per capita income and marital status. Data analysis was carried out through Pearson Chi-square test for categorical variables and linear trend test, when applicable., Results: The prevalence of dyspepsia was 44.4% and frequent dyspepsia, 27.4%. The prevalences of reflux-like, ulcer-like, dysmotility-like and unspecific dyspepsia subtypes were 19.4%, 6.3%, 13.9%, and 16.6%, respectively. The prevalences of these subtypes of frequent dyspepsia were 14.7%, 4.9%, 11.2% and 6.8%, respectively. Prevalences among women were 50% higher. Low-income young people seemed to be more affected by dyspeptic symptoms. The analysis according to Rome II criteria showed prevalences of 15.9% and 7.5% for dyspepsia and frequent dyspepsia, respectively., Conclusions: Dyspepsia and frequent dyspepsia were prevalent problems in the studied population. Most people could be classified in more than one subgroup of dyspepsia.

Background: O gastroesophageal reflux is a high prevalent disease with prevalence rates ranging from 21 to 56% in different countries., Objective: To study the epidemiology and the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease among adult population (20 years and old) at the city of Pelotas, southern Brazil., Methodology: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted. Household interviews were done between October 1999 and January 2000. Association between gastroesophageal reflux disease and age, sex, skin color, years of formal education, income per capita, marital status, psychological variables (insomnia, stressful psychosocial events in the last year, psychological distress), body mass index, smoking and weekly consumption of alcoholic beverages was assessed through logistic regression., Results: Three thousands and nine-hundred thirty four (3,934) individuals were interviewed. A prevalence of 31,3% (CI 95% 29.9%-32.8%). After allowing for confounding gastroesophageal reflux disease was significantly associated with female sex, living without partner, low level of formal education, insomnia, psychological distress, reported stressful psychosocial events in the last year, obesity and overweight., Conclusion: Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a high prevalent disease and its main associated factors are sex, anthropometric variables and psychological characteristics.