No Causal Link Between Sleep Apnea and GERD

A causal link between obstructive sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been proposed, but the relation between the two overlapping disorders is uncertain. . . .

A causal link between obstructive sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been proposed, but the relation between the two overlapping disorders is uncertain. To examine this relation, researchers studied 136 patients who were referred for polysomnographic studies. Patients were assessed using validated GERD and sleep questionnaires.

Overall, 101 (74%) patients had obstructive sleep apnea (apnea-hypopnea index >5). Risk factors for sleep apnea were male sex (odds ratio, 3.7), age >65 (OR, 2.4), and body-mass index (BMI) >30 (OR, 1.5). Risk factors for GERD were male sex (OR, 1.6), age >65 (OR, 1.4), and BMI >30 (OR, 1.5). Self-reported heartburn was not significantly associated with the severity of sleep apnea, and sleep ap…

Reviewing Author

David A. Johnson, MD