Prevalence and Predictors of Gastroesophageal Reflux Complications in Community Subjects

Background: Predictors of erosive esophagitis (EE) and Barrett’s esophagus (BE) and the influence of number of risk factors in the community are not well defined. Methods: Rates of BE and EE among community residents identified in a randomized screening trial were defined. The risk of EE and BE associated with single and multiple risk factors (gender, age, GERD, Caucasian ethnicity, ever tobacco use, excess alcohol use, family history of BE or EAC, and central obesity) was analyzed. Results: Sixty-eight (33 %) of 205 subjects had EE and/or BE. BE prevalence was 7.8 % with dysplasia present in 1.5 %. Rates were comparable between subjects with and without GERD. Male sex and central obesity were independent risk factors. The odds of EE or BE were 3.7 times higher in subjects with three or four risk factors and 5.7 times higher in subjects with five or more risk factors compared with those with two or less factors. Conclusions: EE and BE are prevalent in the community regardless of the presence of GERD. Risk appeared to be additive, increasing substantially with three or more risk factors.