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Gastroesophageal reflux disease in children and adolescents in primary care

Ana Ruigómez1, Mari-Ann Wallander, Per Lundborg

  • 1Spanish Centre for Pharmacoepidemiological Research (CEIFE), Madrid, Spain. aruigomez@ceife.es

Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology
|December 8, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) incidence in UK children varies by age, peaking in toddlers and older girls. Neurological disorders and certain medications increase GERD risk.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Epidemiology
  • Primary Care Research

Background:

  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition in children, but its incidence and associated factors in UK primary care are not well-defined.
  • Understanding GERD prevalence and comorbidities is crucial for timely diagnosis and management in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence and prevalence of GERD diagnoses in UK children and adolescents.
  • To identify comorbidities associated with GERD diagnosis in this demographic.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized The Health Improvement Network (THIN) UK primary care database (2000-2005).
  • Identified incident GERD cases through diagnostic codes and manual record review.
  • Analyzed age-specific incidence rates and associated risk factors.

Main Results:

  • Identified 1700 incident GERD cases with an overall incidence of 0.84 per 1000 person-years.
  • Incidence was highest in 1-year-olds and older female adolescents (16-17 years).
  • Neurological disorders, hiatus hernia, congenital esophageal disorders, and use of antiepileptics, steroids, beta-agonists, and paracetamol were associated with increased GERD risk.

Conclusions:

  • GERD diagnosis incidence in children is age-dependent, with peaks in early childhood and late adolescence.
  • Children with neurological impairments and other specific comorbidities face a higher risk of GERD diagnosis.
Abstract

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