The number of people who suffer from heartburn has increased dramatically
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
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A long-term Norwegian study shows that the number of people who experience heartburn at least once a week has grown by almost 50% over the past 10 years. The results of the study cause fears of scientists that such trends can lead to an esophageal cancer increase in the future.
Scientists write about their findings in the journal Gut.
Heartburn, also known as gastroesophageal reflux, in which the contents of the stomach, including food and acidic gastric juice, enter the esophagus. This irritates the mucosa of the esophagus, causing heartburn and other unpleasant symptoms.
In the course of the study, lead author Eivind Ness-Jensen of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Levanger) and his colleagues analyzed the state of the gastrointestinal tract of nearly 30,000 people.
The data cover a period of 11 years between 1995 and 2006. The scientists found that:
- During the study period, the prevalence of any symptom of reflux increased by 30% (from 31.4% to 40.9% of participants), while more serious symptoms increased by 24% (from 5.4% to 6.7%).
- The number of people who experienced heartburn symptoms at least once a week increased by 47% (from 11.6% to 17.1%). This increase was evident, both in men and in women of all ages.
- Almost all (98%) of participants with severe heartburn symptoms used medications to eliminate them, at least once a week, compared with 31% of people with mild symptoms.
- Women under 40 years old suffered from reflux esophagitis less often.
- Heartburn can spontaneously disappear without the help of medication, but in this study it occurred only in 2% of cases.
One explanation for the increased frequency of reflux esophagitis is an increase in the number of people who are overweight and obese. In addition, reflux esophagitis in women can be associated with the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Scientists warn that: "The wider prevalence of reflux esophagitis is alarming, as it is likely to contribute to an increase in the frequency of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus in the western population."