Atrophic gastritis is inversely associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease in a twin register based study.

Abstract

BackgroundThe association between atrophic gastritis (AG) and symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) needs to be better assessed.ObjectiveWe aimed to study this association in a twin setting, controlling for genetic and familial factors, in addition to a range of known covariates.MethodsWe performed a co‐twin control study based on the Swedish Twin Registry, including confirmed monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins. AG was determined by the measurement of serum pepsinogen I (PGI) and pepsinogen II (PGII), with different cut‐off values. GERD was defined using a structured questionnaire, by questions on symptoms of heartburn, acid regurgitation, pain behind the breastbone, and drug history. Patients were grouped into total GERD, less frequent (<1/week), and frequent GERD (≥1/week).ResultsA total of 12,533 twins were included in the study, among whom 37.7% showed less frequent GERD, and 18.7% had frequent GERD. There was an inverse association between AG and GERD, especially for frequent GERD. When PGI<30 was used as cut‐off value for AG, the odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was 0.52 (0.44, 0.62). When PGI<70 and PGI/PGII<3 was used as cut‐off value for AG, the OR (95% CI) was 0.53 (0.46, 0.63). A risk reduction for GERD was also observed in AG patients when the analysis was restricted in MZ or DZ twins.ConclusionIn this co‐twin control study from the Swedish Twin Register, AG is persistently associated with a reduced risk for GERD, after controlling for genetic and shared familial factors.