Hiatal hernia: risk factors, and clinical and endoscopic aspects in gastroscopy

Hiatal hernia (HH) is a common finding in gastroscopy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency rate of HH among patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) according to their age, gender, and procedural indication.

A multicenter, retrospective study including all EGDs was conducted across seven endoscopy departments between 2016 and 2021. Demographic information, procedural indications, and findings from the initial EGD were collected.

Of the 162,608 EGDs examined, 96,369 (59.3%) involved female patients. HH was identified in 39,619 (24.4%) of all EGDs performed, comprising small HH in 31,562 (79.6%) and large HH in 3,547 (9.0%). The frequency of HH was 16.5% in the age group of ≤50 years and 37.3% in those aged ≥81 years. HH was diagnosed in 38.7% (11,370) of patients with heartburn/reflux symptoms, 31.5% of those with dysphagia, 28.5% of those with positive fecal occult blood tests, and 24.3% of those who would undergo bariatric surgery. Age (odds ratio 1.030), female gender (odds ratio 1.309), reflux symptoms (odds ratio 2.314), and dysphagia (odds ratio 1.470) were identified as predictors for HH.

Risk factors for HH diagnosed by EGD in symptomatic patients were shown to be advanced age, female gender, and the presence of heartburn or dysphagia.