Introduction: GERD is one of the most common disorder ocurring in people at any age.
The aim of the study was to find differences in the clinical manifestations and intensity of GERD symptoms between young and elder people.
Materials and methods We examined 2 groups of patients: group A: 11 females and 9 males 19-42 years old (mean 30 years old) and group B: 7 females and 13 males 66-76 years old (mean 69 years old. The interview, gastroscopy and pH-metry were performed in all patients.
Results: In a group A we diagnosed oesophagitis in 60% and reflux disorder in 40% of patients. Endoscopy revealed Barrette's oesophagus in 1 case (5%), NERD in 8 patients (40%), oesophagitis grade 1- in 4 (20%) and grade 2- in 7 cases (35%) according to Los Angeles scale. In 15 cases (75%) hiatal hernia was diagnosed. In 2 patients Helicobacter pylori infection was present.
In a group B oesophagitis was diagnosed in 65% and reflux disorder in 35% of patients. Endoscopy revealed 6 cases of Barrette's oesophagus (35%), NERD in 7 patients (35%), oesophagitis grade 1- in 6 (30%) and grade 2- in 1 case (5%). Hiatal hernia was present in 12 cases (60%). 7 patients (35%) were Helicobacter pylori positive. We have noticed no differences between two groups nor in number of reflux episodes, nor in percentage of reflux episode. Just the time or percentage of reflux episode in upright position was significantly longer bigger in elder people (mean 15,45 to 9,11). There was similar frequency of all symptoms except for regurgitation which occurred more frequently in elder people (35 % vs. 20%).
Conclusions: We found markedly more frequent incidence of Barrette's oesophagus and Hp infections in elderly people, that is widely observed in populations. Higher incidence of reflux episodes in lying position was significantly higher in elder people- probably connected with progressing dysfunction of LES.