Graphic Abstract: Association Between Psychosocial Disorders and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Association Between Psychosocial Disorders and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Meijun He, Qun Wang, Da Yao, Jing Li and Guang Bai

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common upper gastrointestinal tract disorder. The main cause of GERD is a reflux of stomach and duodenum contents into the esophagus, which results in – among others – acid reflux and heartburn. It is estimated that over 1 billion people worldwide suffer from GERD. Recent studies present the association between GERD and psychosocial disorders, especially anxiety and depression. He M., et al. selected 9 studies with 1 485 268 participants and demonstrated that patients with GERD had a higher incidence of psychosocial disorders compared to patients without GERD. Moreover, a non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) group had increased risk for depression compared to a healthy group, whereas an erosive reflux disease (ERD) group had higher risk for anxiety. Presented meta-analysis confirmed that psychosocial disorders are positively associated with GERD as well as psychosocial disorders may increase the risk of GERD.  

Author: Agata Binienda, MSc