Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Hospitalizations in 1998 and 2005. Statistical Brief No. 44

摘要

Up to 60 percent of the population at some time during the year, and 20 to 30 percent weekly, experience symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), such as heartburn and acid regurgitation. GERD, or acid reflux, occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (the valve separating the esophagus and stomach) does not close properly, allowing acid to back up into the esophagus. When this reflux occurs on a regular basis, GERD may lead to esophagitis (an inflamed lining of the esophagus), narrowing of the esophagus, bleeding, or trouble swallowing. More serious complications may emerge, such as the precancerous condition known as Barretts esophagus, as well as esophageal adenocarcinoma. These GERD complications can result in hospitalizations for anti-reflux surgery, such as Nissen fundoplication. In this Statistical Brief we examine the trend in GERD hospitalizations between 1998 and 2005. The trend in GERD may have been influenced by two countervailing factors. First, since obesity has been linked to GERD, the recent rise in the obesity epidemic may have led to an increase in GERD hospitalizations. In fact, a recent Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Statistical Brief shows that the obesity epidemic has had a profound effect on hospitalizations. Between 1996 and 2004, the number of hospitalizations with obesity diagnoses increased by 112 percent while all other hospitalizations increased by only 13 percent. Second, GERD has been treated widely with pharmaceutical medications, which may have helped to decrease GERD hospitalizations. This Statistical Brief presents national estimates of GERD hospitalizations from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), for 1998 and 2005.