Racial differences in the frequency of symptoms and complications of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease

Abstract

Asian patients in Boston infrequently complain of heartburn, whereas heartburn is commonly reported by both white and black patients. Many patients do not understand the meaning of the term heartburn, however, and so physicians should be cautious when using the term during patient interviews. Complicated gastro-oesophageal reflux disease appears to be predominantly a disorder of whites.