The prevalence of and risk factors for erosive oesophagitis and non‐erosive reflux disease: a nationwide multicentre prospective study in Korea

Summary Background Prospective nationwide multicentre studies that have evaluated endoscopic findings and reflux symptoms using a well‐designed questionnaire are very rare. Aim To compare the prevalence rates of and risk factors for erosive oesophagitis and non‐erosive reflux disease (NERD) in the Korean population. Methods A gastroscopic examination was performed on 25 536 subjects who visited 40 Healthcare Centers for a health check‐up. A gastro‐oesophageal reflux questionnaire and multivariate analysis were used to determine the risk factors for erosive oesophagitis and NERD. Results 2019 (8%) and 996 subjects (4%) had erosive oesophagitis and non‐erosive reflux disease, respectively; only 58% of subjects with erosive oesophagitis had reflux symptoms. Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factors for erosive oesophagitis and NERD differed, i.e. those of erosive oesophagitis were male, a Helicobacter pylori eradication history, alcohol, body mass index ≥25 and hiatal hernia. In contrast, the risk factors for NERD were female, age