近年來胃食道逆流疾病的發生率在台灣有逐年增加之趨勢，其主要致病原因為胃酸逆流到食道內造成食道黏膜傷害。本篇研究是屬於一橫斷面與描述性的實驗設計，收集2009年1月至11月中部某一醫學中心腸胃科門診，年齡為20歲以上，因為胃食道逆流疾病症狀而接受上消化道內視鏡檢查者，依年齡65歲分為兩組。排除條件為腸胃道手術過去病史，服用阿斯匹靈、止痛藥或制酸劑治療，或是同時發現有消化性潰瘍或癌症。另外收集無胃食道逆流性疾病症狀或內視鏡食道炎發現之控制組。予研究對象填寫包括GERD Impact Scale、Chinese GERDQ以及中文版SF36量表等自填問卷。最後共收集33位老年患病者，78位年輕患病者，以及44位未患病者，其中包括9位老年未患病者。研究結果發現胃食道逆流疾病在老年族群中較常見於男性患者（24位，72.7％）；體重、身體質量指數、喝茶、喝酒、喝咖啡以及抽菸並非老年族群罹患胃食道逆流疾病的危險因子；罹患胃食道逆流疾病的老年族群有顯著較多的橫膈膜裂孔疝氣（12位，36.4％），而且比例隨著疾病嚴重程度而增加；胃幽門螺旋桿菌為其保護因子；老年族群有較輕微的典型胃食道逆流疾病症狀，但是有較嚴重的食道發炎程度以及食道潰瘍比例；胃食道逆流疾病對於老年族群並未造成負向自覺健康影響。因為症狀表現之輕微與不典型以及疾病之嚴重度較高，胃食道逆流疾病在老年族群是必須要多加注意而積極治療的疾病。

The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease （GERD） is increasing in Taiwan during last decade. This study is designed as cross-sectional and descriptive. The inclusion criteria include those ages more than 20 years old and those received upper gastrointestinal （UGI） scope in one center hospital because of symptoms of GERD. These patients with GERD are divided into two groups according to age, 65 years old. The exclusion criteria contain prior gastrointestinal surgery, long-term aspirin, NSAID or anti-acid medications taking history, and committed peptic ulcers or malignancy. Those without symptoms of GERD and esophagitis found by UGI scope are enrolled as control group. Questionnaires, including GERD Impact Scale, Chinese GERDQ and SF36, are recorded. There are 111 patients enrolled in our study finally, which 38, 78 and 44 cases are belonged to the elderly group, younger group and control group respectively. The results of our study demonstrate male predominant in the elderly with GERD; Factors of body weight, BMI, tea, alcohol, coffee, smoking, except hiatal hernia, are no associated with GERD in the elderly; the symptoms in the elderly are usually atypical, and the esophagitis is more severe; but the quality of life among these elderly is not impaired. The conclusions of this study provide new insights of GERD in the Taiwanese elderly, and emphasize the importance of GERD in the elderly due to atypical presentation and advanced severity.

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