Positive Association Between GERD & IBS in a Chinese Population
Positive Association Between GERD & IBS in a Chinese Population
Background: Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome are common diseases which may be related.
Aim: To examine the association between gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome in Chinese population in Hong Kong.
Methods: Randomly selected ethnic Chinese were invited to participate in a telephone survey in 1996. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease was defined as subjects having heartburn and/or acid regurgitation once weekly or more. Irritable bowel syndrome was diagnosed according to the Rome I criteria. The association between gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome was calculated using a statistical model which allows the odds ratio to be measured.
Results: One thousand six hundred and forty-nine subjects completed the interview (response rate 62%). The population prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome were 5% and 4%, respectively. Thirteen per cent of subjects with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and 11% with irritable bowel syndrome suffered from both gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome. The OR of having gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome together was estimated to be 3 (95% CI: 1.05, 6.27) indicating a positive association between the two diseases. This association occurred predominantly in male subjects [OR = 9.3, (95% CI: 2.3, 26.2)] but not as strong in females [OR = 1.5, (95% CI: 0.3, 4.3)]. Younger subjects were statistically more prone to the two diseases.
Conclusions: There is a positive association between gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome, and their association occurs predominantly in male subjects.
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are common diseases. It has been estimated that between 10% and 30% of the population is affected by GERD. GERD is believed to be less prevalent in Asian countries and the perception is that Asians tend to have a milder spectrum of the disease. The reported population prevalence of GERD in East Asia ranged from 3% to 7% for at least weekly symptoms of heartburn and/or acid regurgitation. Epidemiological studies have shown that the prevalence of IBS in the general population ranged from 9% to 22% in the western population. The prevalence of IBS in Chinese has been reported to range from 4% to 7%. Studies have shown that GERD and IBS frequently overlap and the prevalence of IBS was much higher in the GERD sufferers compared with patients without GERD. On the other hand, reflux symptoms are common and occur in up to 30% of patients with IBS. However, no such studies have been performed in the Chinese population and whether the same association occurs in Asia is not known. We performed a population-based study in 1996 via a telephone survey and have found that IBS and dyspepsia are associated with anxiety, depression, significant social morbidity, health care utilization and days of work. We have re-examined the data from this population-based telephone survey study specifically looking at the association between GERD and IBS.
Background: Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome are common diseases which may be related.
Aim: To examine the association between gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome in Chinese population in Hong Kong.
Methods: Randomly selected ethnic Chinese were invited to participate in a telephone survey in 1996. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease was defined as subjects having heartburn and/or acid regurgitation once weekly or more. Irritable bowel syndrome was diagnosed according to the Rome I criteria. The association between gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome was calculated using a statistical model which allows the odds ratio to be measured.
Results: One thousand six hundred and forty-nine subjects completed the interview (response rate 62%). The population prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome were 5% and 4%, respectively. Thirteen per cent of subjects with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and 11% with irritable bowel syndrome suffered from both gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome. The OR of having gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome together was estimated to be 3 (95% CI: 1.05, 6.27) indicating a positive association between the two diseases. This association occurred predominantly in male subjects [OR = 9.3, (95% CI: 2.3, 26.2)] but not as strong in females [OR = 1.5, (95% CI: 0.3, 4.3)]. Younger subjects were statistically more prone to the two diseases.
Conclusions: There is a positive association between gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome, and their association occurs predominantly in male subjects.
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are common diseases. It has been estimated that between 10% and 30% of the population is affected by GERD. GERD is believed to be less prevalent in Asian countries and the perception is that Asians tend to have a milder spectrum of the disease. The reported population prevalence of GERD in East Asia ranged from 3% to 7% for at least weekly symptoms of heartburn and/or acid regurgitation. Epidemiological studies have shown that the prevalence of IBS in the general population ranged from 9% to 22% in the western population. The prevalence of IBS in Chinese has been reported to range from 4% to 7%. Studies have shown that GERD and IBS frequently overlap and the prevalence of IBS was much higher in the GERD sufferers compared with patients without GERD. On the other hand, reflux symptoms are common and occur in up to 30% of patients with IBS. However, no such studies have been performed in the Chinese population and whether the same association occurs in Asia is not known. We performed a population-based study in 1996 via a telephone survey and have found that IBS and dyspepsia are associated with anxiety, depression, significant social morbidity, health care utilization and days of work. We have re-examined the data from this population-based telephone survey study specifically looking at the association between GERD and IBS.
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