Abstract

MOLANO CARO, Jenny; PINEROS ORTIZ, Sandra  and  LOPEZ DE MESA MELO, Clara. Dyspepsia and reflux disease in adolescents. Rev Col Gastroenterol [online]. 2008, vol.23, n.1, pp.46-56. ISSN 0120-9957.

Introduction and objectives: Few publications exist about dyspepsia and reflux disease in adolescents. We conducted a community based, cross sectional study with the objectives to determine the epidemiology of dyspepsia and reflux symptoms, endoscopic findings and Helicobacter pylori infection frequency in 12 to 20 age students. Methods: 937 students between 12 to 20 years, selected at random, answered a survey about presence and frequency of dyspeptic and reflux symptoms with-in the last year. Those with frequent symptoms and/or alarm symptoms were contacted to perform an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. In all cases biopsy for urease testing and/or histology study was taken. Results: Criteria for endoscopic procedure was met 45.8% of subjects due to dyspepsia and in 6.7% due to reflux symptoms Dyspepsia was more frequent in female subject (p=0,001) and in those between 15 and 17 years (p= 0.04). Reflux symptoms were more frequent in those between 12 and 14 years (p=001). The prevalence of organic dyspepsia was 27.6%. Helicobacter pylori infection was 54.4%, predominantly in the low socioeconomic strata (p=0,008). Conclusions: Prevalence of dyspepsia is high in our adolescent population with an organic and functional distribution similar to that found in adults. The prevalence of frequent reflux symptoms is comparable to that informed for adults. Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection is related to socioeconomic status but not to the presence of dyspepsia, reflux symptoms or dyspepsia type. Not malignancy was founded.

Keywords : dyspepsia; reflux disease; adolescents; students; helicobacter pylori.

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