Takeaway
- A nationwide retrospective cohort finds that allergic rhinitis (AR) nearly doubles the odds of developing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), regardless of the presence of asthma.
Why this matters
- The prevalence of GERD is increasing worldwide.
- It has long been established that asthma increases the risk for GERD.
- The association between AR and GERD may arise from increased frequency of swallowing in AR, which increases the frequency of transient lower-esophageal sphincter relaxations.
Study design
- Retrospective cohort of patients with AR (n=96,905) compared with non-AR patients (n=96,905), both groups without a history of GERD, in a subset of Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database.
- Results were adjusted for age, sex, and comorbidities.
- Funding: Ministry of Science and Technology, Republic of China; Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital; other.
Key results
- The AR group had nearly double the odds of developing GERD vs the non-AR group (adjusted HR [aHR], 1.94; P<.001).
- Both groups did not have asthma.
- Results did not differ by age subgroups.
- The AR group with asthma as a comorbidity had similar odds of developing GERD vs the non-AR group (aHR, 1.98; P<.001).
Limitations
- Reliance on health insurance claims.
- No adjustment for lifestyle, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
- Observational design.
References
References
