Aetiology with respect to frequency

Inherited and acquired factors both contribute to the development of GORD (1)

• the prevalence of reflux symptoms is high in the parents of affected people
• concordance of reflux disease is higher in identical twin pairs
• genetic factors contribute about 18-31% to the cause of GORD

Common associated conditions are:

• sliding hiatus hernia
• pyloric stenosis
• pregnancy

Less common associations are:

• diabetic neuropathy
• scleroderma

Study evidence has emphasized the significance of lifestyle factors (1)

• these predisposing lifestyle factors include:
  • obesity
  • smoking
  • alcohol
  • large, late meals (1)

Reference:

• (1) Mark Fox And Ian Forgacs. Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease:Clinical Review. BMJ 2006; 332: 88 - 93