Gastroesophageal reflux disease and etiological correlates among Nigerian adults at Ogbomoso

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common disorder globally but the prevalence and severity of symptoms and complications do have ethnic and geographic variations.Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) among adults in Ogbomoso, Southwest Nigeria, and the risk factors associated with it.Methodology: The study was a hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional survey. The study population consisted of consenting male and female adults aged 18 to 87 years recruited from the outpatient departments of three health institutions inOgbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. A predesigned questionnaire consisting of GerdQ and other relevant information was administered to the participants.Results: A total of 772 subjects were interviewed. The prevalence of GERD was 9.3% among the subjects. There was a significant association between increasing age and GERD. Other risk factors considered showed no significant association with the disease.Conclusion: GERD has a moderate prevalence among adults in Ogbomoso, Southwest Nigeria and there is a significant association between increasing age and GERD.Keywords: Gastroesophageal reflux disease, Prevalence, Risk factors, Nigeri