SUMMARY 

Background and methods : We performed a case control study to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics, and identify the risk factors associated to gastroesophageal reflux among patients of the gastroenterology unit at the HNSE EsSalud – Cusco. There were included 645 patients with endoscopic diagnosis of esophagitis between january 1, 1999 and december 31, 2000. Afterwards, we selected a sample of 125 cases and 124 non related matched controls. The statistical profiles about gastroesophageal reflux, the digestive endoscopy service digests and the clinic histories of patients were reviewed; and the case and control samples were interviewed namelessly with their previous consent. Results : Gastroesophageal reflux esophagitis was the diagnosis in 13% of endoscopies at the study period, with a little predominance in males (65%) and a middle age of 51,64. A 39,8% of cases concern of university proffesional patients. The main symptom was dyspepsia (84,18%) followed by the clasic clinical markers pirosis (44%) and regurgitation (30%), and nondigestive symptoms were unfrecuent (9%). Esophagitis was diagnosted mainly at mild stages of the disease (94% of cases) and we demonstrated an statistical association between esophagitis and hiatal hernia in the 32% of cases (p<0,05). The risk factors with significative statistical association on gastroesophageal reflux symptoms were consumption of AINES (OR:19,36 and IC: 2,65-396,73) and coffee (OR:4,39 and IC: 1,72-11,65), and overweight (OR: 2,60 and IC: 2,60-6,78); the math associated factors were consumption of cigarretes, alcohol, mint and fatty food, postprandial liying position and taking of drugs such as benzodiacepines, calcium channel blockers and nitrates. The remaining factors have had not any kind of relation.

KEY WORDS: gastroesophageal reflux, esophagitis, clinical characteristics, endoscopic characteristics, risk factor.

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