Meta-analysis: Epidemiology of Non-cardiac Chest Pain in the Community

Alexander Ford (1) , Nicole C Suares (2) , Nicholas J Talley (3)

1 Leeds Gastroenterology Institute
2 Leeds Gastroenterology Institute
3 Faculty of Health

Background: Prevalence of, and risk factors for, non-cardiac chest pain in the community have not been well studied. Aims: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine these issues. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and EMBASE Classic were searched (up to March 2011) to identify population-based studies reporting prevalence of non-cardiac chest pain in adults (≥15 years) according to self-report, questionnaire, or specific symptom-based criteria. Prevalence of non-cardiac chest pain was extracted for all studies, and according to study location and certain other characteristics including presence or absence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms, where reported. Pooled prevalence overall, as well as odds ratios (OR), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results: Of 18 papers evaluated, 16 reported prevalence of non-cardiac chest pain in 14 separate populations, containing 24 849 subjects. Pooled prevalence of non-cardiac chest pain in all studies was 13% (95% CI 9%-16%). The prevalence of non-cardiac chest pain was higher in Australian studies, and in studies using a questionnaire to define its presence, compared with those using Rome I or II criteria. Prevalence was no different in females versus males (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.82-1.20). The prevalence was markedly higher in subjects who also reported GERD (OR 4.71; 95% CI 3.32-6.70), and increased according to frequency of GERD symptoms. Conclusions: Pooled prevalence of non-cardiac chest pain in the community was 13%, but there were few studies. Rates did not appear to differ according to gender or age. Presence of GERD was strongly associated with non-cardiac chest pain.

Mots clés: Medicine

Alexander Ford, Nicole C Suares, Nicholas J Talley. Meta-analysis: Epidemiology of Non-cardiac Chest Pain in the Community. Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 2011, 34 (2), pp.172. ⟨10.1111/j.1365-2036.2011.04702.x⟩. ⟨hal-00644716⟩