AIM: To analyze the spectrum and risk factors of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) based on presenting symptoms and endoscopic f indings. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey in a cluster random sample was conducted from November 2004 to June 2005 using a validated Chinese version Reflux Disease Questionnaire (RDQ) and other items recording the demographic characteristics and potential risk factors for GERD. Subjects were def ined as having GERD symptoms according to the RDQ score (> 12). All subjects were endoscopied and the def inition and severity of erosive esophagitis were evaluated by Los Angeles classif ication. The statistical analysis was performed with SPSS13.0 programs. RESULTS: Of 2231 recruited participants, 701 (31.40%) patients were diagnosed as having GERD while 464 (20.80%) patients had objective findings of reflux esophagitis (RE). Of those 464 patients, only 291 (13.00%) were reported as subjects with GERD symptoms. A total of 528 (23.70%) patients were found to have GERD symptoms, including 19.50% patients with grade A or B reflux esophagitis, 0.90% with grade C and 0.40% with grade D. On multivariate analysis, old age, male, moderate working burden, divorced/widowed and strong tea drinking remained as signif icant independent risk factors for erosive esophagitis. Meanwhile, routine usage of greasy food and constipation were considered as significant independent risk factors for non-erosive reflux disease (NERD). CONCLUSION: GERD is one of the common GI diseaseswith a high occurrence rate in China and its main associated factors include sex, anthropometrical variables and sociopsychological characteristics. AIM: To analyze the spectrum and risk factors of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) based on presenting symptoms and endoscopic f indings. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey in a cluster random sample loaded from November 2004 to June 2005 using a validated Chinese version Reflux Disease Questionnaire (RDQ) and other items recording the demographic characteristics and potential risk factors for GERD. Subjects were defined as having GERD symptoms according to the RDQ score (> 12). All subjects were endoscopied and the def inition and severity of erosive RESULTS: Of 2231 recruited participants, 701 (31.40%) patients were diagnosed having GERD while 464 (20.80%) patients had objective findings of reflux Of those 464 patients, only 291 (13.00%) were reported as subjects with GERD symptoms. A total of 528 (23.70%) patients were found to ha ve GERD symptoms, including 19.50% patients with grade A or B reflux esophagitis, 0.90% with grade C and 0.40% with grade D. On multivariate analysis, old age, male, moderate working burden, divorced / widowed and strong tea drinking yet as signif icant independent risk factors for erosive esophagitis. However, routine usage of greasy food and constipation were considered as significant independent risk factors for non-erosive reflux disease (NERD). CONCLUSION: GERD is one of the common GI diseaseswith a high occurrence rate in China and its main related factors include sex, anthropometrical variables and sociopsychological characteristics.