Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Hiatus hernia epidemiology and demographics
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Hiatus hernias affect around 1 to 20% of the population. Out of this 9Â % are symptomatic, depending on the ability of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Approximately 95% of these categorize under “sliding” hiatus hernias, in which the lower esophageal sphincter protrudes above the diaphragm along with the stomach, and only 5% is the “rolling” type (paraesophageal), in which the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) remains stationary but the stomach protrudes above the diaphragm. A hiatus hernia is more common in older people.
Epidemiology and Demographics
Epidemiology and Demographics
Prevalence
- It is estimated that greater than 95 percent of hiatus hernias are type I (sliding) hiatus hernia.
- Approximately 5 percent of the hiatus hernias are with type II, III, and IV (paraesophageal) hernias.
Mortality rate
- The mortality rate of elective paraesophageal hernia repair is approximately 1.4 percent.[1]
Age
- Hiatus hernias commonly affects individuals older than 50 years of age.
Race
- There is no racial predilection to hiatus hernia.
Gender
- Women are more commonly affected by Hiatus hernias than men.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Vamsikrishna Gunnam M.B.B.S [2]