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

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.

Causal associations between gastroesophageal reflux disease and essential hypertension: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study

“…However, after studying some populations in central China, Li et al [ 27 ] found that 44.2% (38/86) of essential hypertensive patients had gastroesophageal reflux. Suyu et al [ 11 ] also found that the proportion of patients with hypertension with GERD was as high as 31.4% (137/436). Our findings clearly suggest that gastroesophageal reflux can lead to elevated blood pressure and essential hypertension.…”

“…Previous clinical studies showed that patients with GERD may have a higher prevalence of essential hypertension, but the results might be influenced by sample size and potentially confounding factors such as lifestyle, socioeconomic status, and underlying medical conditions, and that conclusions may not be accurate[ 9 - 11 ]. There were a few studies on this topic and little attention was paid.…”

Prevalence of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Its Impact on the Quality of Life Among Obese Individuals in Al-Baha Region, Saudi Arabia

“…There are common risk factors for GERD and hypertension, such as obesity, age, male gender, and smoking [ 38 - 40 ]. Suyu et al [ 41 ] found that hypertension is a positive predictor for GERD, especially silent GERD. In the present study, hypertensive patients were 2.6 times more liable than non-hypertensive patients to get GERD (OR = 2.6; 95% CI 1.3-5.3; p = 0.007).…”

Gastroesophageal reflux disease: a modern view on the problem

“…Своєчасне спорожнення шлунка, яке зумовлюється нормальним станом моторно-евакуаторної і секреторної функції шлунка, внутрішньошлунковим тиском, безперешкодне проходження харчових мас через воротар у дванадцятипалу кишку. Неспроможність хоча б одного з перерахованих вище компонентів веде до ГЕРХ [13,17,18].…”

“…Водночас є публікації, в яких заперечується кореляція симптомів ГЕРХ з даними рН-моніторингу, особливо, коли мають місце позастравохідні прояви хворобинаприклад, хронічний кашель. Тест із ІПП при верифікації ГЕРХ деякі дослідники також піддають сумніву, спираючись на досить невисокі показники чутливості та специфічності методики, що становить відповідно 78,0% та 54,0% [17,23].…”