High prevalence of reflux esophagitis among upper endoscopies in Chinese patients with chronic liver diseases

BACKGROUND: Reflux esophagitis (RE) is increasing in prevalence in China. There are very few studies on the prevalence and factors related to RE in patients with chronic liver diseases. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of RE by endoscopy in patients with chronic liver diseases and the possible related predictors of RE. METHODS: A total of 1,280 patients with chronic liver disease and 29 patients with acute hepatitis A or E were prospectively evaluated. There were 879 and 401 patients with liver cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis, respectively. RE was classified by endoscopy according to the Los Angeles classification scheme. RESULTS: RE was diagnosed in 36.4% (469/1280) of the chronic liver disease patients, which was significantly higher than in the acute hepatitis patients (10.3% [3/29], P < 0.001). RE accounted for 43.0%, 9.7%, and 60.2% of patients with liver cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis(mild and medium), and liver failure, respectively. A high prevalence of RE existed in patients with liver failure and/or Child B and C liver cirrhosis, with typical symptoms of RE in 21.3% of the patients (100/469). There was a significant relationship between gender, age, ascites, and RE. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of RE among upper endoscopies of patients with severe chronic liver disease was demonstrated. Asymptomatic RE was more common in cirrhotic and liver failure patients. The role of RE in variceal bleeding, however, needs to be demonstrated.