Epidemiology and contemporary risk factors of peptic acid disease

Acid-peptic diseases, which include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastritis, peptic ulcer disease (PUD), and functional dyspepsia (FD), comprises a group of highly prevalent disorders around the world. The epidemiological burden is particularly significant due to the recurrence of symptoms and their impact on quality of life. This is a narrative review that describes the epidemiological aspects and contemporary risk factors associated with these four groups of diseases. The literature shows that there is data on the prevalence that varies according to each of these entities, and type of population and country that has been studied. In addition, they are more prevalent in women, except for GERD, and there are some risk factors that are common to all of them, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and infection by Helicobacter pylori. In contrast, others such as obesity are more related to GERD, and previous gastrointestinal infections with FD. Also, it is important to highlight that in recent years there has been an important decrease in PUD, probably in relation to a lower infection rate of H. pylori, and maybe with a higher use of proton pump inhibitors. Accordingly, it is important to ask patients about these factors so they can be modified as part of the symptom treatment. Finally, it is important to note the lack of studies on incidence and of the natural history of GERD, gastritis and FD, which are warranted.