Brief Article
Copyright ©2011 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Feb 7, 2011; 17(5): 639-645
Published online Feb 7, 2011. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i5.639
Natural history of heartburn: A 10-year population-based study
Linda Bjork Olafsdottir, Hallgrimur Gudjonsson, Heidur Hrund Jonsdottir, Bjarni Thjodleifsson
Linda Bjork Olafsdottir, Hallgrimur Gudjonsson, Bjarni Thjodleifsson, Department of Gastroenterology, Landspitali University Hospitol, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
Heidur Hrund Jonsdottir, Department of Gastroenterology, The Social Science Research Institute, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
Bjarni Thjodleifsson, Department of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
Author contributions: Olafsdottir LB, Thjodleifsson B and Gudjosnsson H designed research; Olafsdottir LB performed research; Jonsdottir HH analyzed data; Olafsdottir LB and Thjodleifsson B wrote the paper.
Supported by (in part) The Medical Research Fund of the National Hospital of Iceland; the Medical Research Fund of Wyeth, Iceland; AstraZeneca, Iceland; GlaxoSmithKline, Iceland; and the Icelandic College of Family Physicians
Correspondence to: Linda Bjork Olafsdottir, MSc Pharm, MBA, Department of Gastroenterology, Landspitali University Hospitol, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland. linda04@ru.is
Telephone: +354-8966664 Fax: +354-5200801
Received: July 19, 2010
Revised: November 2, 2010
Accepted: November 9, 2010
Published online: February 7, 2011
Abstract

AIM: To study the natural history and prevalence of heartburn at a 10-year interval, and to study the effect of heartburn on various symptoms and activities.

METHODS: A population-based postal study was carried out. Questionnaires were mailed to the same age- and gender-stratified random sample of the Icelandic population (aged 18-75 years) in 1996 and again in 2006. Subjects were classified with heartburn if they reported heartburn in the preceding year and/or week, based on the definition of heartburn.

RESULTS: Heartburn in the preceding year was reported in 42.8% (1996) and 44.2% (2006) of subjects, with a strong relationship between those who experienced heartburn in both years. Heartburn in the preceding week was diagnosed in 20.8%. There was a significant relationship between heartburn, dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome. Individuals with a body mass index (BMI) below or higher than normal weight were more likely to have heartburn. Heartburn caused by food or beverages was reported very often by 20.0% of subjects.

CONCLUSION: Heartburn is a common and chronic condition. Subjects with a BMI below or higher than normal weight are more likely to experience heartburn. Heartburn has a great impact on daily activities, sleep and quality of life.

Keywords: Heartburn, Follow-up, Questionnaire study, Epidemiology