Changes in prevalence of gut diseases linked to westernisation in Korea

MedWire News: There has been a significant increase in the prevalence of reflux oesophagitis and peptic ulcers among people in South Korea since 1995, which reflects the increasing adoption western-style diets and lifestyles in the country, say researchers.

“Changes in the pattern of gastrointestinal diseases in a population tend to be influenced by changes in diet and lifestyle,” explain Dr Hyun Chae Jung, from Seoul National University College of Medicine in South Korea, and team.

They add: “In the case of Korea, owing to rapid economic development, urbanisation and westernisation, physical constitutions have grown, the elderly population and obese population both increased and, more importantly, diet has become westernised.”

To investigate whether these changes have resulted in significant changes in the prevalence of gastrointestinal diseases, the researchers studied medical data on 8441 patients examined in 1995, 10,350 examined in 2000 and 10,102 examined in 2005 at 17 university hospitals in South Korea.

Analysis revealed that the prevalence of reflux oesophagitis increased from 1.8% in 1995 to 5.9% in 2000 and to 9.1% in 2005.

The overall prevalence of peptic ulcers increased slightly over the study period, from 18.0% in 1995 to 19.1% in 2000 and to 20.2% in 2005. However, further analysis revealed that this increase was mainly due to stomach (gastric) ulcers, which increased in prevalence from 9.6% in 1995 to 10.5% in 2000 and to 12.0% in 2005. The prevalence of duodenal (intestinal) ulcers remained fairly constant over the study period, at 8.4% in 1995, 8.7% in 2000 and 8.2% in 2005.

The researchers also found that the prevalence of gastric cancer increased from 3.4% in 1995 to 4.5% in 2000, but then decreased to 2.4% in 2005.

Writing in the European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Dr Jung and team conclude: “The prevalence of reflux oesophagitis and gastric ulcer increased markedly and slightly, respectively, whereas that of duodenal ulcer was sustained. The prevalence of gastric cancer was on the rise, and after the year 2000, it was decreased.

“With nationwide study, these changes related to rapid westernisation, urbanisation, and change of diet and lifestyle over the past 30 years in Korea.”