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Digestive Diseases and Sciences
Published in: Digestive Diseases and Sciences 8/2014

01-08-2014 | Original Article

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Increases Risk for Gastroesophageal Reflux Symptoms

Authors: Roberto Catanzaro, Federica Calabrese, Sergio Occhipinti, Maria Grazia Anzalone, Angelo Italia, Michele Milazzo, Francesco Marotta

Published in: Digestive Diseases and Sciences | Issue 8/2014

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Abstract

Background

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now recognized as a leading cause of liver dysfunction. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disorder causing symptoms that often impair patients’ quality of life. In recent years, the prevalence of both these diseases has increased, partially overlapping the rise of metabolic disorders.

Aims

We investigated whether a relation does exist between NAFLD and GERD symptoms.

Methods

Cross-sectional study among 206 outpatients diagnosed with NAFLD and 183 controls. We collected clinical and laboratory data, assessed severity and frequency of GERD symptoms and the esophageal endoscopic pattern.

Results

The prevalence of GERD symptoms was higher in NAFLD patients than controls (61.2 vs. 27.9 %, p < 0.001). We found a positive association between NAFLD and the experiencing of heartburn, regurgitation and belching. GERD symptoms were related to body mass index (BMI) and metabolic syndrome (MetS); a strong association persisted after adjustment for all the covariates (adjusted OR 3.49, 95 CI % 2.24–5.44, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

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.
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Metadata
Title
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Increases Risk for Gastroesophageal Reflux Symptoms
Authors
Roberto Catanzaro
Federica Calabrese
Sergio Occhipinti
Maria Grazia Anzalone
Angelo Italia
Michele Milazzo
Francesco Marotta
Publication date
01-08-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Digestive Diseases and Sciences / Issue 8/2014
Print ISSN: 0163-2116
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2568
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-014-3113-7

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