Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Increases Risk for Gastroesophageal Reflux Symptoms

Abstract

Our data show that the prevalence of GERD typical symptoms is higher in patients with NAFLD. GERD was associated with higher BMI and MetS, but not with age and diabetes type 2. NAFLD remained strongly associated with GERD, independently of a coexisting MetS status. Consistent with these findings, MetS can be considered a shared background, but cannot completely explain this correlation. We suggest NAFLD as an independent risk factor for GERD symptoms.

Association between gastroesophageal reflux disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A meta-analysis

“…Recent studies have suggested that GERD could also be a risk factor for NAFLD although the results were inconsistent. [ 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 ] To summarize all available data, we conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies, which compared the risk of NAFLD among patients with GERD versus those without GERD.…”

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease increases the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Several observational studies have yielded controversial findings. 10 Conversely, a cohort study which included 34 063 subjects in South Korea and adjusted for BMI and other metabolic factors found that NAFLD was not independently associated with the risk of reflux oesophagitis (HR 1.01, 95% CI: 0.94-1.09; P = .79), but instead reflux oesophagitis is mainly the consequence of increased BMI commonly associated with NAFLD. 7 Again, a cross-sectional study in Taiwan involving a total of 12 090 individuals and adjusting for multiple risk factors revealed a 1.23-fold increased risk of erosive oesophagitis in patients with NAFLD compared with subjects without NAFLD.…”

“…11 Similarly, Catanzaro et al found that NAFLD was linked to an increased prevalence of GERD symptoms in a cross-sectional study totalling 206 subjects and adjusting for multiple potential confounding factors (adjusted OR = 3.49, 95% CI: 2.24-5.44). 10 Conversely, a cohort study which included 34 063 subjects in South Korea and adjusted for BMI and other metabolic factors found that NAFLD was not independently associated with the risk of reflux oesophagitis (HR 1.01, 95% CI: 0.94-1.09; P = .79), but instead reflux oesophagitis is mainly the consequence of increased BMI commonly associated with NAFLD. 14 However, Min et al found a positive association between NAFLD and reflux oesophagitis in a cohort study involving a total of 117 377 Korean adults.…”

“…2 Increasing evidence suggests that NAFLD is not only associated with liver-related morbidity or mortality but can also increase the risk of extra-hepatic complications, such as chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] However, the results from such studies have been conflicting so far. Recently, the link of NAFLD with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has attracted considerable scientific interests.…”

“…Several cross-sectional and cohort studies have investigated the association between NAFLD and the risk of GERD. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] However, the results from such studies have been conflicting so far. Some studies demonstrated a higher prevalence of GERD among patients with NAFLD compared with the general population, while other studies failed to find any significant association between NAFLD and the risk of GERD.…”