title: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with high prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms are usually reported by patients with obesity and metabolic syndrome. Aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and clinical characteristics of gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms in subjects with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional, case-control study of 185 consecutive patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and an age- and sex-matched control group of 112 healthy volunteers. Participants were interviewed with the aid of a previously validated questionnaire to assess lifestyle and reflux symptoms in the 3 months preceding enrolment. Odds ratios were determined before and after adjustment for body mass index, increased waist circumference, physical activity, metabolic syndrome and proton pump inhibitors and/or antiacid medication.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of heartburn and/or regurgitation and of at least one of gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms was significantly higher in the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease group. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease subjects were associated to higher prevalence of heartburn (adjusted odds ratios: 2.17, 95% confidence intervals: 1.16-4.04), regurgitation (adjusted odds ratios: 2.61, 95% confidence intervals: 1.24-5.48) and belching (adjusted odds ratios: 2.01, 95% confidence intervals: 1.12-3.59) and had higher prevalence of at least one GER symptom (adjusted odds ratios: 3.34, 95% confidence intervals: 1.76-6.36).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with a higher prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. luca.miele@rm.unicatt.it
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Miele
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cammarota
authors.forename: Vittoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vero
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Racco
authors.forename: Consuelo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cefalo
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marrone
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pompili
authors.forename: Gianlodovico
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rapaccini
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bianco
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Landolfi
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gasbarrini
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grieco
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires