Prevalence and risk factors of erosive esophagitis in Taiwan

Erosive esophagitis is a common condition in the western population. However, the prevalence and risk factors of this disorder in Taiwan remain unclear. This study investigated the current prevalence of erosive esophagitis in Taiwan and attempted to identify the risk factors for this disease.

From January 2008 to May 2009, 2040 consecutive subjects who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy during their annual health check-up were enrolled. The severity of erosive esophagitis was evaluated according to the Los Angeles classification, and the independent risk factors of erosive esophagitis were analyzed using the logistic regression method.

The prevalence of erosive esophagitis was 17.3% (352/2040), with 71.6%, 27.8%, 0.5% and 0% cases of grades A, B, C and D, respectively, according to the Los Angeles classification. Univariate analysis revealed that male sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, betel nut chewing habit, body mass index ≥ 27 kg/m(2), hypertension, use of calcium channel blockers, diabetes, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hiatus hernia were associated with the development of erosive esophagitis. Multivariate analysis revealed that male sex [odds ratio (OR) = 2.013, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.439-2.815; p < 0.001), smoking (OR = 1.301, 95% CI = 1.089-1.555; p = 0.004), body mass index > 27 (OR = 1.348, 95% CI = 1.138-1.598; p = 0.001), and hiatus hernia (OR = 4.331, 95% CI = 3.304-5.784; p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for the development of erosive esophagitis.

The current prevalence of erosive esophagitis in Taiwan is 17.3%. Male sex, smoking, obesity, and hiatus hernia are four independent risk factors for the development of erosive esophagitis in the Taiwanese population.