Epidemiologic investigation in elderly subjects with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux

Objective: Approach to the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease （GERD） for the purpose of improving the theraputic level in the elderly cases with GERD. Methods: Investigation was made in Beijing, including 2000 residences aged between 60-96 years old through qustionaries.Heart burn, acid reflux and regurgitation, as symptom indices, were scored according to their intensity and frequency.The score large than 6 was taken as indication of presence of symptomatic GER. Results: Among 2 000 cases, 1 936 subjects completed surveys.Prevalence of symptomatic with GER occurred in 8.63% the aged people.It was 8.59% of people in ≤70 years old group, 8.61% people in 71-80 years old group and 9.38% people in ＞80 years old group respectively.Heartburn occurred once a day in 3.7% aged people, once a week in 4% aged people.There are 15.3% of aged people who had symptom of heartburn at least once a month accumulately.Logistic ananlysis showed that GER had close relationship with night choking, cough.bronchitis, asthma, dental and pharnygo-laryngeal disorders. Conclusion: Prevalence of symptom of GER in 2 000 elderly subjects was first investigated in China.Occurence rate of symptomatic GER was 8.63% averagely.It suggested that the prevention and therapy of GERD in the elderly is an important task.