56 Gastroesophageal reflux disease in children with neurological impairment: a population-based retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Abstract Background Children with neurological impairment (NI) are at increased risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and may be more susceptible to complications such as esophagitis and aspiration. Diagnosis is challenging due to communication impairments and frequent comorbidities, such as dysphagia, that present similarly to GERD. There is a risk of both under and over diagnosis with detrimental effects. Prior research has suggested the prevalence of GERD is as high as 75%. However, these studies examined subpopulations such as children presenting with symptoms or living in institutions, often many decades ago. Objectives Our aim was to determine the incidence and prevalence of GERD diagnosis and treatment in children with NI at a population level. Design/Methods This is a retrospective cohort study using provincial administrative data. Children with NI were identified by International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) codes in the Discharge Abstract Database (DAD) between 2006 and 2018. GERD was defined as: (1) 1+ codes in DAD or National Ambulatory Care Reporting System; (2) 2+ specialist claims; (3) 1+ ASM prescription. Age, gender, complex chronic conditions (CCC) and technology assistance (TA) were covariates. ASM prescriptions and anti-reflux procedures were collected. Descriptive statistics included means with standard deviations and counts with proportions. Univariable and multivariable Poisson regressions calculated incidence rates and rate ratios for the presence of GERD and prescription of ASM. Results Among 10,309 children with NI, 2,772 (26.9%) met the GERD definition. The unadjusted incidence rate was 52.1 per 1000 person-years. Increasing numbers of CCCs were associated with a higher risk of GERD. Children with four or more CCCs had an incidence almost three times that of children with no CCCs. A gastrostomy tube incurred a five times higher rate of GERD. Overall, 2486 (23.7%) of the children were treated with ASMs of which 1535 (61.7%) met no other GERD criteria. The incidence rate was 16.9 prescriptions per year. Neonatal, respiratory and congenital CCCs were associated with higher rates of ASM prescribing. The prevalence of gastrojejunostomy tubes was 1.1% (n=121), surgical jejunostomy tubes was 0.7% (n=79) and fundoplication was 3.3% (n=351). Conclusion The incidence of GERD in children with NI is dramatically higher than in the general pediatric population, as is the use of ASM. Both disparities are heightened in children with gastrostomy tubes, perhaps due to increased severity of NI or relevant comorbidities. Regardless, GERD is clearly a significant clinical issue in this population that warrants additional study to determine optimal diagnosis and treatment practices.