Oesophageal symptoms are common and associated with other functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in an English-speaking Western population

BackgroundThe prevalence and frequency of oesophageal symptoms suggestive of a functional oesophageal disorder according to the Rome IV criteria are unknown.ObjectiveWe aimed to describe the prevalence and risk factors for oesophageal symptoms compatible with functional oesophageal disorders in the general population.MethodsData were analysed from a population-based online survey of 6300 individuals aged ≥ 18 years in the USA, UK and Canada with equal demographic proportions across countries. Questions included the Rome IV diagnostic questionnaire, demographics, medication, somatization, quality of life, and organic gastrointestinal (GI) disease. Multivariate analysis was used to identify factors independently related to oesophageal symptoms.ResultsData from 5177 participants (47.8% female; mean age 46.7 years) were available for analysis. Symptom prevalence was 8.1% for globus, 6.5% for heartburn, 4.5% for dysphagia and 5.2% for chest pain, and 17.0% reported at least one oesophageal symptom. Oesophageal...