Prevalence of extra-oesophageal manifestations in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: an analysis based on the ProGERD Study.
OBJECTIVE
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be associated with a variety of extra-oesophageal disorders (EED) such as chronic cough, asthma, laryngeal disorder or chest pain. The aim of the study was to estimate and compare the prevalence of EED in a population with symptomatic GERD presenting as either erosive reflux disease (ERD) or non-erosive reflux disease (NERD).


METHODS
Baseline data were collected from a prospective, multicentre, open cohort study (ProGERD) in which patients will be followed for 5 years after initial treatment with esomeprazole. Within the framework of this trial, all patients underwent gastroscopy and filled out a questionnaire designed to assess EED. The influence of potential prognostic factors on the prevalence of EED was analysed by multivariate (stepwise logistic regression) analysis.


RESULTS
6215 patients (3303 male, 2912 female; mean age 54 years) presenting with heartburn were included. EED was detected in 32.8% of all patients. The proportion was significantly higher (P = 0.0002) in ERD patients (34.9%) than in NERD patients (30.5%). As judged from the multivariate analysis, female gender, age, oesophagitis of LA grade C/D, duration of GERD disease greater than 1 years and smoking were significantly associated with EED. ERD patients with oesophagitis of LA grade A or B did not have a significantly higher risk of EED than patients with NERD.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with GERD have a high probability of experiencing EED, which may be associated with a number of prognostic factors such as duration and severity of GERD. Extra-oesophageal disorders are slightly, but statistically, more prevalent in ERD than in NERD patients.
Jaspersen
D
D
Klinikum Fulda, Germany. D.Jaspersen.Medll@klinikum-fulda.de
Kulig
M
M
Labenz
J
J
Leodolter
A
A
Lind
T
T
Meyer-Sabellek
W
W
Vieth
M
M
Willich
S N
SN
Lindner
D
D
Stolte
M
M
Malfertheiner
P
P
D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011446:Prospective Studies