The prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

Estimation of the prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is difficult because of the lack of an accepted definition and a gold standard. Based on the occurrence of reflux symptoms and on the use of antacids in the population, the prevalence of GORD may be estimated at about 10%. The 1-year incidence of endoscopic oesophagitis has been shown to be 1.2%. In an endoscopic population study, oesophagitis was found in about 10% of the adult population. However, the criteria used for the diagnosis were disputable. The true prevalence of oesophagitis is probably about 5%, higher in males than in females. The severity of GORD tends to increase with age, with regard to both symptoms and oesophagitis.