Who is affected by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

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Who is affected by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

It's hard to know how many people have GERD because so many people treat their symptoms at home without ever seeing a doctor. But heartburn is very common.¹

• About 4 out of 10 adults in the United States have heartburn at least once a month. About 2 out of 10 adults in the United States have heartburn at least once a week.¹ Most of these people treat themselves and do not have complications.
• Less than 1 out of 10 adults have heartburn and/or reflux on most days.²
• Up to 80% of pregnant women have heartburn nearly every day.¹ This heartburn usually goes away after the baby is born.

References

Citations

1. Richter JE (2006). Gastroesophageal reflux disease and its complications. In M Feldman et al., eds., Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease, 8th ed., vol. 1, pp. 905–936. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier.

2. Moayyedi P, et al. (2006). Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, search date July 2005. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence. Also available online: http://www.clinicalevidence.com.

Credits

Last updated:	March 31, 2008
Author:	Monica Rhodes
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC