Prevalence and risk factors of gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms among adolescents, the HUNT study.

BACKGROUND: Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is recognized by symptoms of heartburn and acid regurgitation. These gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms (GORS) are common in adults, but data from adolescents are sparse. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of GORS among adolescents in a large and unselected population. METHODS: This study was based on the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT), a longitudinal series of population-based health surveys conducted in Nord-Trøndelag County, Norway. This study included data from Young-HUNT4 performed in 2017-2019, where all inhabitants aged 13-19 years were invited and 8066 (76.0%) participated. The presence of GORS (any or frequent) during the past 12 months and tobacco smoking status were reported through self-administrated questionnaires, whereas body mass index (BMI) was objectively measured. RESULTS: Among 7620 participating adolescents reporting on the presence of GORS, the prevalence of any GORS and frequent GORS was 33.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 32.2 - 34.3%) and 3.6% (95% CI 3.2 - 4.0%), respectively. The risk of frequent GORS was lower among boys compared to girls (OR 0.61; 95% CI 0.46 - 0.79), higher in current smokers compared to never smokers (OR 1.80; 95% CI 1.10 - 2.93) and higher among obese compared to underweight/normal weight adolescents (OR 2.50; 95% CI 1.70 - 3.66). CONCLUSION: A considerable proportion of adolescents had GORS in this population-based study, particularly girls, tobacco smokers, and individuals with obesity, but frequent GORS was relatively uncommon. Measures to avoid tobacco smoking and obesity in adolescents may prevent GORS.

[Collagenous sprue in a patient with severe diarrhoea, malnutrition and acute renal failure].

Collagenous sprue is a rare enteropathy affecting the small intestinal mucosa and can resemble and coincide with coeliac disease or collagenous colitis. To our knowledge, less than 175 cases of collagenous sprue have been described. Both clinicians and pathologists should be aware of the condition in order to adequately target their investigations and treatment. This is a case report of severe collagenous sprue in a 78-year-old male resulting in severe diarrhoea, weight loss, malnutrition and acute kidney failure. The disorder improved on a lactose and gluten-free diet, loperamide and corticosteroids.

Risk factors on the development of new-onset gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. A population-based prospective cohort study: the HUNT study.

OBJECTIVES: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a highly prevalent disorder. This study assessed the risk factors of new-onset gastroesophageal reflux symptoms (GERS). METHODS: The study was based on the HUNT study, a prospective population-based cohort study conducted in 1995-1997 and 2006-2009 in Nord-Trøndelag County, Norway. All inhabitants from 20 years of age were invited. Risk factors of new-onset heartburn or acid regurgitation were examined using logistic regression, providing odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: A total of 29,610 individuals were included (61% response rate). Participants reporting no GERS at baseline and severe GERS at follow-up (new-onset GERS; n=510) were compared with participants reporting no complaints at both times (n=14,406). Increasing age (OR 1.01 per year, 95% CI 1.00-1.02) was positively associated, whereas male sex (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.66-0.98) and higher education (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.56-0.86) were negatively associated with new-onset GERS. Gain in body mass index (BMI) was dose-dependently associated with new-onset GERS (OR 1.30 per unit increase in BMI, 95% CI 1.25-1.35), irrespective of baseline BMI. Previous and current tobacco smoking were associated with new-onset GERS (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.07-1.76 and OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.00-1.67, respectively). Tobacco smoking cessation was associated with new-onset GERS among those with gain in BMI upon quitting (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.31-3.16, with >3.5 BMI units increase). CONCLUSIONS: New-onset GERS were associated with increasing age, female sex, lower education, gain in BMI, and ever tobacco smoking. Tobacco smoking cessation was associated with new-onset GERS among those who gained weight upon quitting.