Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and overall and Cause-specific Mortality: A Prospective Study of 50000 Individuals

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Only a few studies in Western countrieshave investigated the association between gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD) and mortality at the general population level and they have shown mixedresults. This study investigated the association between GERD symptoms andoverall and cause-specific mortality in a large prospective population-based studyin Golestan Province, Iran.

METHODS

Baseline data on frequency, onset time,and patient-perceived severity of GERD symptoms were available for 50001participants in the Golestan Cohort Study (GCS). We identified 3107 deaths(including 1146 circulatory and 470 cancer-related) with an average follow-upof 6.4 years and calculated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals(CI) adjusted for multiple potential confounders.

RESULTS

Severe daily symptoms (defined assymptoms interfering with daily work or causing nighttime awakenings on a dailybases, reported by 4.3% of participants) were associated with cancer mortality(HR 1.48, 95% CI: 1.04-2.05). This increase was too small to noticeably affectoverall mortality. Mortality was not associated with onset time or frequency ofGERD and was not increased with mild to moderate symptoms.

CONCLUSION

We have observed an association withGERD and increased cancer mortality in a small group of individuals that hadsevere symptoms. Most patients with mild to moderate GERD can be re-assuredthat their symptoms are not associated with increased mortality.