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Gastroesophageal reflux in alcohol-abusing patients
Anna Boguradzka1, Wiesław Tarnowski, Hubert Cabaj
1Centre for Education of Family Doctors, The Medical Centre of Postgraduate Education, Warszawa, Poland. annaboguradzka@o2.pl
Polskie Archiwum Medycyny Wewnetrznej
|July 1, 2011
Summary
Hazardous alcohol consumption is a significant risk factor for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Primary care physicians should screen patients for hazardous drinking patterns to identify those at risk for GERD.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Internal Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Alcohol consumption can lead to hydrochloric acid regurgitation, causing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms.
- Many individuals with alcohol-related issues exhibit hazardous drinking patterns rather than addiction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the gastrointestinal tract in hazardous drinkers.
- To determine if hazardous alcohol consumption is a risk factor for GERD.
Main Methods:
- 2000 primary care patients in Warsaw completed the AUDIT and Carlsson's questionnaires.
- Hazardous drinkers with reflux symptoms underwent gastroscopy and pH-metry.
- Results were compared to a control group of 60 non-hazardous drinkers with reflux symptoms.
Main Results:
- 18.75% of participants were hazardous drinkers; 33% had GERD symptoms.
- 87.5% of hazardous drinkers showed positive pH-metry results.
- Esophagitis was found in 64% of hazardous drinkers versus 28% in controls. Male sex and hazardous drinking were risk factors for esophagitis.
Conclusions:
- Hazardous alcohol consumption is identified as a risk factor for developing reflux-related esophagitis.
- Routine screening for alcohol consumption by primary care physicians is recommended for identifying at-risk patients.
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