Prevalence and precipitating factors of Gastroesophageal refux disease in a young population of Tabriz, Northwest of Iran Mohammad H. Somi, MD, Sara Farhang, MD, Kazem Mirinezhad, MD, Emtis Jazayeri, MS, Siavosh Nasseri-Moghaddam, MD, Solmaz Moayeri, Medical Student, Sanaz Yasrebinia, Medical Student. G astroesophageal refux disease (GERD) as one of the most common upper gastrointestinal problems has been a matter of interest in the last few years. This importance is consequence of its complications which are increasing in frequency in several parts of the world. The wide spectrum of gastroesophageal refux symptoms, ranging from typical to extraesophageal manifestations and accompanied by self medication, may provide diffculties in the diagnosis and identifying the complications faced by patients with From the Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Center (Somi, Farhang, Mirinezhad, Jazayeri, Moayeri, Yasrebinia), Tabriz University of Medic cal Sciences, Tabriz, and the Digestive Diseases Research Center (NassericMoghaddam), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Received 7th February 2006. Accepted for publication in fnal form 15th August 2006. Address correspondence and reprint request to: Dr. Mohammad H. Somi, Liver and Gastrointestinal Disease Research Center. Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. Tel/Fax. +98 (411) 3367499. Ecmail: mhosseinsina@yahoo.com 447 GERD which greatly affects health economics and patient healthcrelated quality of life. 1 Americans may spend $5 billion annually on anti refux medicines, while the major recognized risk factors for oesophageal carcinoma with an increasing frequency in the USA and western countries in past few decades are GERD and Barrett’s oesophagus. 2 Literature suggest a lower prevalence of GERD in Asia than in the west. In the USA 20% of the population experience the cardinal symptoms at least once a week . These extents has Objective: To estimate the prevalence and clinical spectrum of gastroesophageal refux disease (GERD) in a young population and evaluate the risk factors. Methods: This crosscsectional study using a reliable and valid questionnaire was performed during June and July 2005, on randomized selection of 620 students form Azad Univeristy of Tabriz. Gastroesophageal refux disease was defned as at least weekly heartburn and/or acid regurgitation. Results: Mean age (± SD) of the responders was 22.48 ± 1.98 years. The prevalence of heartburn and/or acid regurgitation experienced at least weekly was 6.3% and monthly was 13%. The severity of symptoms was mainly of a mild to moderate degree. There was no difference in prevalence of any GERD symptom between 2 genders and ABSTRACT it was not associated with age of the study population. A frequent symptom of GERD was reported more among subjects with atypical symptoms. There was no relation between marriage status and prevalence of GERD. On the other hand, GERD was less common among subjects with no family history of upper gastrointestinal disease and students in higher rank felds. Increased body mass index (but no recent weight gain or lose) and drinking coffee and tea was associated with higher prevalence of GERD symptoms. Conclusion: This study as the frst study using a valid questionnaire reveals a high prevalence of frequent GERD symptoms in a young population of Tabriz. Atypical symptoms should be considered in this area. Saudi Med J 2006; Vol. 27 (12):