[Dyspepsia and gastroesophageal reflux in adolescents].

OBJECTIVE

To study the prevalence and risk factors for dyspepsia and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) among adolescents.

METHODS

Senior schoolchildren (forms 9-11) of four randomly selected secondary schools of Novosibirsk participated in the study (189 boys and 260 girls aged 14-17 years). They filled in the Bowel Disease Questionnaire, and sera were tested for antibodies against Helicobacter pylori infection.

RESULTS

Dyspepsia was reported by 21% of the schoolchildren, being more frequent in girls (25%) than boys (14%, p = 0.004). GER occurred in 22% of adolescents with the same frequency in both genders. The combination of dyspepsia with GER was found in 8%. The prevalence of H. pylori infection was 56%. No association was found between the infection and abdominal symptoms, except heartburn. Among factors associated with dyspepsia were female gender, irregular meals, family history of dyspepsia. GER was related to H. pylori infection, obesity, smoking and irregular meals, 46% of adolescents with dyspepsia and 36% of those with GER have consulted a physician, and school absenteeism was reported by 55 and 40%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Dyspepsia and gastroesophageal reflux are widespread among the adolescent population and result in frequent use of health care resources.