Gastric dysrhythmia in gastroesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a commonly diagnosed gastrointestinal disorder, with a substantial impact on the quality of life. The underlying pathophysiology of GERD is multifactorial and incompletely understood. Abnormal gastric electrical activity, measured using electrogastrography (EGG), may contribute. This study aimed to systematically review and meta-analyse the existing literature in which EGG was used in patients with GERD.

Databases were systematically searched for studies using EGG in adults with GERD. The primary outcome was the percentage of recording time in the normogastric frequency range. Secondary outcomes were dominant frequency, dominant power, power ratio and prevalence of any EGG abnormality.

In total, 591 participants (427 patients with GERD; 164 healthy controls) from 13 studies were included. GERD patients spent 17.3% (SMD - 1.18, 95%CI: - 1.84, - 0.52) and 18.7% (SMD - 1.11, 95%CI: - 1.55, - 0.68) less of the preprandial and postprandial recording time in normogastric frequency ranges, respectively, compared to healthy controls. The dominant frequency, dominant power and power ratio were not significantly different to healthy controls in the preprandial and postprandial periods. The pooled prevalence of any EGG abnormality was significantly greater in patients with GERD than in healthy controls [46% (95%CI: 39-64%) vs. 10% (95%CI: 4-23%); p < 0.0001]. Correlations between GERD symptoms and EGG recordings were inconsistently studied. EGG techniques were heterogeneous.

Consistent abnormalities in gastric slow-wave activity, as measured by EGG, were identified in adults with GERD. Further investigation into these abnormalities using novel emerging electrophysiology techniques is desirable, to better define their contribution toward GERD pathophysiology.