The prevalence of gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) in hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients was assessed at a single center with a self-administered questionnaire previously used in a general population. It defines (GERD as the presence of heartburn or acid regurgitation, or both. Risk factors for GERD and GERD-associated symptoms were also evaluated. In the studied population, 29.7% of patients had frequent GERD (heartburn, acid regurgitation, or both symptoms weekly). Frequent GERD was reported by 44.7% of PD patients versus the 18.9% reported by HD patients and the 19.8% reported by the general population. PD and HD patients had similar GERD severity scores [2.3 +/- 0.7 vs 1.9 +/- 0.8, mean +/- standard deviation (SD)]. PD and HD patients reported atypical GERD symptoms at rates similar to those reported by the general population, but having GERD made some atypical GERD symptoms more likely (p < 0.05, Fisher's exact test). In a logistic model, age < 60 [odds ratio (OR) 5.6, confidence interval (CI) 1.5-21.3], smoking (OR 4.7, CI 1.3-16.9), and body mass index > or = 27 (OR 3.9, CI 1.2-13.0) predicted GERD. Sex, race, diabetes, PD, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), calcium channel blockers, and coffee and alcohol use did not. GERD is more common in PD patients than in HD patients or in the general population. It is not clear whether PD per se is a risk factor for GERD.