Nighttime GERD Has Daytime Consequences

Nighttime GERD, even without reported symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation, can significantly impair sleep.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a well-recognized cause of impaired sleep in patients with frequent nocturnal GERD symptoms. However, the role of GERD in sleep disturbance of minimally symptomatic or asymptomatic patients who have poor sleep quality is less clear. Because GERD might occur at night without resulting in arousal or memory of arousal (sleep has an amnesic effect), it could be the primary underlying cause of their sleep disturbances.

This prospective, multicenter study compared 81 patients having disturbed or unrefreshing sleep to 39 controls having normal sleep. Both groups received simultaneous polysomnography and pH monitoring to detect the presence of nighttime gastroesophageal reflux and to determine sleep outcomes.

In the…

Reviewing Author

David A. Johnson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory boardMedscape/WebMD; Pfizer; CRH Medical Corporation; Aries

EquityCRH Medical Corporation

Editorial boardsMedscape Gastroenterology

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Gastroenterology Research Institute Board of Directors