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Background: few studies have reported the onset and disappearance rates of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms (GERS) in the population. Aim: to assess the occurrence and disappearance rates of GERS in Spain, and their impact on health-related quality of life (HRQL). Participants and methods: participants were selected at random from the general population of Madrid in age and sex strata. They were interviewed at home twice, 6 months apart. Heartburn, acid regurgitation and consultation were assessed with the gastroesophageal reflux questionnaire, and HRQL with the SF-36. Results: 709 individuals were included, and 451 (63.6%) were re-interviewed 6 months later. Among the 325 individuals without GERS, 9 developed weekly symptoms (2.2% [95% CI: 0.8, 3.4%]); 2 (22%) consulted because of GERS. Among the 34 subjects reporting weekly GERS initially, 26 did not report them at 6-months. Onset of GERS was associated with worsening scores in the physical summary of SF-36 (delta = -6.6 [95% CI: -11.8, -1.42]), while disappearance with an improved score (delta = -3.0 [95% CI: 0.0, 5.9]). Conclusion: despite the lower prevalence of GERS in Spain, the occurrence rate is 2.2% in 6 months; however symptoms disappeared in more than half of subjects six months later. Developing GERS was associated with reduced HRQL, and their disappearance with improvement.

Objectives: to estimate the impact of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) symptoms on the utilization of healthcare services and work absenteeism in Spain. Methods: a cross-sectional study on 2,500 subjects representative of the Spanish population from 40 to 79 years of age. Data were collected via a telephone interview in January 2002 using Locke's questionnaire after its cross-cultural adaptation and validation for telephone use in Spain. Results: GER is responsible for 296.8 doctor consultations (95% CI: 245.3-348.7) per 1,000 inhabitants per year, for 24 esophagogastrointestinal radiographic studies per 1,000 inhabitants per year (95% CI: 18-30), for 32.4 (95% CI: 25.5-39.3) high digestive endoscopies per 1,000 inhabitants per year, and for the loss of 201 (95% CI: 0-411.1) working days per 1,000 employed inhabitants with GER per year. In relation to medication intake, GER resulted in 4,092 (95% CI: 3,300-5,133) treatment days with H2 antagonists per 1,000 inhabitants per year, 9,030 (95% CI: 7,846-10,332) treatment days with proton pump inhibitors per 1,000 inhabitants per year, and 1,082 (95% CI: 519-1,549) treatment days with prokinetics per 1,000 inhabitants per year. Conclusions: GER has a large impact on the utilization of healthcare resources and work absenteeism in Spain, in contrast to the widespread belief that it is an illness of little importance.

Background: few studies have reported the onset and disappearance rates of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms (GERS) in the population., Aim: to assess the occurrence and disappearance rates of GERS in Spain, and their impact on health-related quality of life (HRQL)., Participants and Methods: participants were selected at random from the general population of Madrid in age and sex strata. They were interviewed at home twice, 6 months apart. Heartburn, acid regurgitation and consultation were assessed with the gastroesophageal reflux questionnaire, and HRQL with the SF-36., Results: 709 individuals were included, and 451 (63.6%) were re-interviewed 6 months later. Among the 325 individuals without GERS, 9 developed weekly symptoms (2.2% [95% CI: 0.8, 3.4%]); 2 (22%) consulted because of GERS. Among the 34 subjects reporting weekly GERS initially, 26 did not report them at 6-months. Onset of GERS was associated with worsening scores in the physical summary of SF-36 (delta = -6.6 [95% CI: -11.8, -1.42]), while disappearance with an improved score (delta = -3.0 [95% CI: 0.0, 5.9])., Conclusion: despite the lower prevalence of GERS in Spain, the occurrence rate is 2.2% in 6 months; however symptoms disappeared in more than half of subjects six months later. Developing GERS was associated with reduced HRQL, and their disappearance with improvement.

Objectives: To estimate the impact of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) symptoms on the utilization of healthcare services and work absenteeism in Spain., Methods: A cross-sectional study on 2,500 subjects representative of the Spanish population from 40 to 79 years of age. Data were collected via a telephone interview in January 2002 using Locke s questionnaire after its cross-cultural adaptation and validation for telephone use in Spain., Results: GER is responsible for 296.8 doctor consultations (95% CI: 245.3-348.7) per 1,000 inhabitants per year, for 24 esophagogastrointestinal radiographic studies per 1,000 inhabitants per year (95% CI: 18-30), for 32.4 (95% CI: 25.5-39.3) high digestive endoscopies per 1,000 inhabitants per year, and for the loss of 201 (95% CI: 0-411.1) working days per 1,000 employed inhabitants with GER per year. In relation to medication intake, GER resulted in 4,092 (95% CI: 3,300-5,133) treatment days with H2 antagonists per 1,000 inhabitants per year, 9,030 (95% CI: 7,846-10,332) treatment days with proton pump inhibitors per 1,000 inhabitants per year, and 1,082 (95% CI: 519-1,549) treatment days with prokinetics per 1,000 inhabitants per year., Conclusions: GER has a large impact on the utilization of healthcare resources and work absenteeism in Spain, in contrast to the widespread belief that it is an illness of little importance.

Background and Aim: Excess weight is a risk factor of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms (GERS) in population-based studies but it is unknown to what extent short-term weight gain (occurring in months) is associated with the development of GERS. Our aim is to examine the association of weight gain with GERS., Methods: A phone interview was conducted with 2,500 persons aged 40-79 yr selected at random from the general population of Spain. The Gastroesophageal Reflux Questionnaire was used to identify the onset, frequency, and severity of GERS. We also assessed weight, height, and 1-yr weight change (classified as no weight gain, weight gain < or =5 kg, and weight gain >5 kg). We compared the frequency of new (less than 1 yr duration) and old (1 yr or more duration) GERS among weight change subgroups. The association between weight change and GERS was analyzed by logistic regression adjusting for BMI and other potential confounders., Results: The prevalence of new and old GERS, respectively, was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in subjects with weight gain >5 kg (14.4% and 32.4%) than in those with weight gain < or =5 kg (8.2% and 27.5%) and no weight gain (5.4% and 22.5%). Subjects with a weight gain < or =5 kg showed an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 1.5 (95% confidence limits [CL]: 0.9-2.4) for new GERS and of 1.1 (95% CL: 0.8-1.4) for old GERS. Those with a weight gain >5 kg showed an aOR of 3.0 (95% CL: 1.6-6.0) for new GERS and of 1.3 (0.8-2.1) for old GERS., Conclusion: Weight gain is associated with GERS, independently of BMI.

Objectives: To evaluate the frequency of medical consultation for gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms (GORS) and to ascertain reasons for consultation and associated factors., Methods: Telephone survey of 2,500 persons using a validated questionnaire. Data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression, in which the dependent variable was consultation for GORS and the independent variables were sociodemographic factors and the clinical characteristics of GORS., Results: Of those reporting GORS, 28% had consulted their physician about them in the last year. Main reasons for seeking medical advice were GORS-induced concern in 48%, and intensity of GORS in 42.6%. Factors independently associated with medical consultation were: housewife (odds ratio (OR) 1.9; 95% CI 1.1-3.4) or retired status (OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.3-4.1), frequent GORS (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.6-3.5), severe GORS (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.4-4.2), nocturnal GORS (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.1-2.3), and association of epigastric pain (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.0-2.7) or nausea (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.1-2.8)., Conclusion: The high frequency of medical consultation for GORS in Spain makes it an important healthcare problem. The fact that half the patients seek medical advice due to concern about the nature of GORS illustrates the benefits of explaining the nature, treatment and prognosis of GORS. The clinical relevance of GORS does not reside in its frequency alone, since severe or nocturnal symptoms, albeit occasional, are also associated with medical consultation., (Copyright 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Aim: To measure the prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms and to identify associated factors in a representative sample of the Spanish population., Methods: A telephone survey of 2500 subjects was performed using a validated questionnaire. The association of gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms (defined as the presence of heartburn or acid regurgitation) and their clinical characteristics with potential risk factors was summarized using the odds ratios (OR) obtained by multiple logistic regression., Results: The response rate was 71.2%. The annual prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms was 31.6% [95% confidence interval (CI), 29.8-33.4] and the weekly prevalence was 9.8% (95% CI, 8.6-10.9). Gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms were associated with excess weight (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.23-1.92), obesity (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.30-2.32), the psychosomatic symptom score (OR, 2.98; 95% CI, 2.41-3.67) and the presence of gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms in a direct family member (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.17-2.23). Gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms of > or =10 years' duration were more frequent in obese subjects (OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.14-3.22) and those with a direct family member with gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms (OR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.44-4.06). Factors associated with gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms of < or =1 year duration were a spouse with gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms (OR, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.39-3.9) and the consumption of 1-5 aspirins/week (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.01-2.86)., Conclusions: The prevalence of frequent gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms in Spain is lower than that observed in other Western populations. The psychosomatic symptom score is the factor most strongly associated with gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms. Long-term gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms are associated with certain genetic factors (obesity, family history of gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms), whereas short-term gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms are associated with factors of probable environmental nature.

Objective: To produce and validate for telephone use in Spain a cross-cultural adaptation of the gastroesophageal reflux questionnaire (GERQ) developed by Locke et al., Material and Method: The Spanish version of the questionnaire was developed through translation, assessment of comprehensibility, back translation, and appraisal of applicability. Subsequently, reproducibility was measured by a test-retest procedure in 125 patients, and concurrent validity was evaluated by comparing self-reported questionnaire data against a gastroenterologist's findings from clinical interviews with 50 patients., Results: The Spanish version showed itself to be easily understandable and widely applicable. Reproducibility for the two cardinal symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (heartburn and acid regurgitation) as measured by the kappa index (95% confidence interval), was 0.85 (0.73-0.97) and 0.81 (0.70-0.92), respectively. With respect to the process of concurrent validation, kappa values (95% confidence interval) for heartburn and acid regurgitation were 0.85 (0.68-1) and 0.91 (0.79-1), respectively. Median kappa for all questions on the questionnaire was 0.75 (range: 0.42 a 1) in the reproducibility analysis and 0.83 (range: 0.44 a 1) in the concurrent validity analysis., Conclusions: The reproducibility and concurrent validity of the Spanish version of the GERQ is excellent and comparable to that of the original English version.