Prevalence and Predictors of Silent Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Patients with Hypertension.

He Suyu,Xiaoqi Long,Guiquan Luo,Yijun Liu,Xu Jianyu,Lipeng Cao

doi:10.1155/2018/7242917

Abstract

Background Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) without symptoms or silent GERD can be easily missed in patients with hypertension. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of GERD, specifically the prevalence of silent GERD in hypertensive patients, and to explore its possible predictors. Methods Consecutive patients with hypertension referred to the cardiovascular clinic of Suining Central Hospital in 2016 were screened for this study. A Reflux Disease Questionnaire (RDQ) and an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) were employed for the evaluation of silent GERD. Included patients were divided into silent-GERD group and non-GERD control group. The demographic characteristics and antihypertensive agent prescriptions were collected and compared between the two groups. Results The prevalence of silent GERD and GERD in patients with hypertension was 15.1% and 31.4%, respectively. 66 patients were included in the silent-GERD group, and 298 patients were included in the non-GERD control group. Abdominal obesity and untreated hypertension were positive predictors, while controlled hypertension was a negative predictor for silent GERD. The prescription of calcium channel blockers was not a predictor for it. Conclusions High prevalence of GERD, specifically silent GERD, could be found in patients with hypertension. Abdominal obesity and untreated hypertension were positive predictors for silent GERD, while controlled hypertension was a negative predictor for it.

Highlights

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disorder defined as the presence of acid reflux-related symptoms or esophageal mucosal damage caused by the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus [1]
Three risk factors including abdominal obesity, controlled hypertension, and untreated hypertension are associated with the occurrence of silent GERD in patients with hypertension
How can we screen the right patients to do the right examinations and therapies? In this study, multivariate analysis showed that three factors were predictive for silent GERD compared with the control group

Summary

Introduction

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disorder defined as the presence of acid reflux-related symptoms or esophageal mucosal damage caused by the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus [1]. Patients with GERD can be divided into three subgroups when esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is performed. “Silent GERD” refers to esophageal mucosal injury (i.e., erosion, ulceration, or Barrett’s esophagus) visible in EGD without typical or atypical GERD symptoms [2]. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) without symptoms or silent GERD can be missed in patients with hypertension. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of GERD, the prevalence of silent GERD in hypertensive patients, and to explore its possible predictors. A Reflux Disease Questionnaire (RDQ) and an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) were employed for the evaluation of silent GERD. Included patients were divided into silent-GERD group and non-GERD control group. 66 patients were included in the silent-GERD group, and 298 patients were included in the non-GERD control group. High prevalence of GERD, silent GERD, could be found in patients with hypertension. Abdominal obesity and untreated hypertension were positive predictors for silent GERD, while controlled hypertension was a negative predictor for it

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Conclusion