Disease definition, clinical manifestations, epidemiology and natural history of GERD.

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease is a global problem and affects children, adolescents and adults. The incidence of the disease appears to be increasing particularly in Asia where reflux disease has not traditionally been a major health problem in the past. Recent consensus efforts to define and classify the disease in both adults and children make it possible to obtain epidemiologic and natural history data using a universally acceptable definition and classification.