FOOD AS A RISK FACTOR FOR GER SYMPTOMS IN ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

Purpose: Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) is a common GI disorder. We reported a prevalence of 38% of esophageal GER symptoms among adolescents1 and found cigarette smoking, alcohol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were risk factors2 Now we are analyzing if certain foods and drinks are risk factors for GER symptoms in the same age group. Aim: To find out the association between GER symptoms and the following as risk or protective factors: spicy foods, citrus fruit juices, 12 caffeinated and 15 non-caffeinated carbonated beverages, obesity, NSAIDs, alcohol, smoking and chewing gum. Methods: A cross sectional survey was done among 14–18 year old students at a high school. The survey instrument contained questions on esophageal (heartburn, regurgitation and dysphagia), respiratory symptoms (cough and shortness of breath) over the past year measured by symptom frequencies on a 6-point scale1 and questions on the proposed risk factors. The data were entered into a MS Access Database and analyzed using SPSS. Results: Drinking coffee or tea, caffeine containing carbonated drinks (Barq's root bear, Dr. Pepper, Diet Dr. Pepper) and caffeine-free carbonated drinks (Sierra mist, barq's diet root bear, A&W root bear, IBC root bear, Mug root bear, 7-Up, ginger ale, caffeine-free Coke, and Fanta) were found to be risk factors. Spearman's rho was between 0.01 to 0.30 and p value less than 0.05. Eating spicy food, drinking citrus fruitjuices or chocolate drinks were not risk factors. Subjects with greater BMI tended to have more frequent GER symptoms (rho = 0.11, p = 0.016). As we showed earlier2 alcohol, NSAID use and cigarette smoking were found to be risk factors (Odds ratios: NSAIDs-1.38, cigarettes-1.76, alcohol-1.35, p <0.05). Conclusions: Certain carbonated caffeine containing and caffeine free drinks were found to be risk factors for GER symptoms. Coffee drinking had a higher risk than tea for GER symptoms. Contrary to our previous study2 increasing BMI was a risk factor. Use of NSAID, alcohol and cigarette smoking were risk factors for GER symptoms. Chewing gum was not found to be protective for GER symptom.