The Epidemiologic Study Of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease In Southern Chinese Military Personnel

The Epidemiologic Study of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Southern Chinese Military PersonnelPart I The prevalence of symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease in military personnelBackground/Aims Gastroesophageal reflux disease is common. But the prevalence of GERD in military personnel was unknown. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and related factors of GERD in southern Chinese military personnel. Methods A validated questionnaire investigation about GERD symptoms and its related factors was carried out in southern Chinese military personnel using a stratified random sampling method. According to RDQ Score definition, the severity and frequency of the dominant symptoms of GERD, such as heartburn, acid regurgitation, food reflux, and non-cardiogenic chest pain were scored. People with score more than 11(Sc≥12) were taken as GERD patient group, and the others as non-GERD patient group. Results A total of 2000 soldiers were investigated. The prevalence of GERD was 5.10%. The incidence in artilleryman was higher than that in other three arm of services, but no significant difference(P>0.05). People in GERD patient group had higher incidence of the symptoms of abdominal distension, belching, nausea, vomiting, stomachache, back pain, lassitude and saliva increasing (P<0.05). Also they had higher incidence of the disease such as laryngitis, pharyngitis and mouth ulcer (P<0.05). Besides, they had the habit of drinking, high fat diet, over dietary, spicy food, drinking strong tea, constipation (P<0.01). The prevalence of GERD was correlated with age (OR 1.112), high fat diet (OR 1.136), over dietary (OR 1.765), spicy food (OR 1.575), drinking strong tea (OR 1.760), constipation (OR 3.154) and stress (OR 1.085). But, that was not correlated with arm of service, BMI, smoking, drinking, confection and coffee. Conclusions The prevalence of GERD in southern Chinese military personnel is common. Many factors influence the incidence of GERD symptoms. The impact of food habits, living habit, spirit factor and psychological stress on GERD is shown. PartⅡThe prevalence of reflux esophagitis and the relationship between reflux esophagitis and Helicobacter pyloriBackground/Aims In the partⅠ, the incidence of symptom of GERD was 5.10%. But, the prevalence of reflux esophagitis (RE) in military personnel was unknown. The impact of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) on gastrointestinal diseases was shown. But, the relationship between RE and Hp was unknown. The study was to assess the clinical characteristic of RE in Southern Chinese military personnel and the relationship between RE and Hp. Methods 91 qualified GERD patients were selected.47 patients were in lower score group (Sc 12-15),34 patients were in moderate score group (Sc 16-20), and 10 were patients in high score group (Sc≥20). 60 cases were took in control group (Sc<12)with stratified random sampling method. All of the 151 cases accepted gastroscopy and Hp detection by the method of 14C-UBT and RUT. Results The prevalence of RE in GERD group (42.86%, 39/91) was higher than that in control group (3.33%,2/60) (P<0.05). But the difference among GERD integrations was not statistically significant (P>0.05). There were 22 cases in grade A,13 cases in grade B,3 cases in grade C and 1 case in grade D.89.7% of RE patients were in low grade (grade A and grade B). Eight GERD patients suffered from Barrett's esophagus. Neither esophageal stricture nor esophageal adenocarcinoma was detectived. No significant correlation was shown between the degree of RE and GERD score(R=0.276, P>0.05). The infection rate of Hp was 61.67%(37/60) in control group,61.54%(56/91) in GERD group,58.97% (23/39) in RE group and 63.46%(33/52) in NERD group. No significant difference among Hp infection interclass (P>0.05). Conclusions The prevalence of RE and the infection rate of Hp in Southern Chinese military personnel are high. No impact of Hp on the severity of RE is shown.