Gastroesophageal reflux disease is inversely related with glycemic control in morbidly obese patients

Modifiable risk factors mediate the effect of gastroesophageal reflux disease on stroke and subtypes: A Mendelian randomization study

OBJECTIVES

Previous observational studies have suggested that gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) increases the risk of stroke, but the specific underlying mechanisms are unclear. We investigated the causal associations of GERD with stroke and its subtypes using Mendelian randomization (MR), and evaluated the potential mediating effects of modifiable stroke risk factors in the causal pathway.

METHODS

Genetic instrumental variables for GERD were extracted from the latest genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary level data. We initially performed two-sample MR to examine the association of GERD with stroke and its subtypes, including ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, and the major subtypes of ischemic stroke. Two-step MR was further employed to investigate the mediating effect of 15 risk factors in the causal pathway.

RESULTS

We found significant causal associations of genetically predicted GERD with increased risk of stroke (OR: 1.22 95% CI: 1.126-1.322), ischemic stroke (OR: 1.19 95% CI: 1.098-1.299), and large-artery stroke (OR: 1.49 95% CI: 1.214-1.836). Replication and sensitivity analyses yielded consistent effect directions and similar estimates. Further mediation analyses indicated that hypertension (HTN), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and type 2 diabetes (T2D) mediated 36.0%, 9.0%, and 15.8% of the effect of GERD on stroke; 42.9%, 10.8%, and 21.4% for ischemic stroke, and 23.3%; 7.9%, and 18.7% for large-artery stroke, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This study supports that GERD increases susceptibility to stroke, ischemic stroke, and large-artery stroke, and is partially mediated by HTN, SBP, and T2D.

Gastrointestinal symptoms in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Background Various gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are associated with diabetes. Common GI complaints associated with the manifestation of the disease include abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, bloating and vomiting. There have been very few studies examining GI problems of pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The aims of this study were to find out the prevalence of GI symptoms in pediatric patients with T1DM and to determine the correlation among such symptoms, duration of diabetes and glycemic control. Methods One hundred and thirty-seven (median age 13.2 years, female 45.3%) patients with T1DM were examined. Demographic features, GI symptoms, signs and physical examination findings of the patients were recorded by pediatric gastroenterology specialists for the differential diagnosis and exclusion of other etiologies. Complete blood count, blood glucose, lipid profile, electrolytes, amylase, lipase, celiac antibodies and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were evaluated and stool examination was performed. Endoscopy was performed on the patients who had refractory GI complaints. Gastric emptying (GE) time was evaluated using GE scintigraphy. Results Overall, 74 (54%) patients had ≥1 GI complaints. Patients often reported gastroesophageal reflux (32.8%) and abdominal pain (18%). The most significant findings in terms of GI symptoms were determined when patients were classified according to the glycemic control status. Reflux and dyspeptic symptoms were significantly more common in poorly or very poorly controlled diabetic patients (p=0.003 and p=0.004, respectively). Conclusions Diabetes can affect the entire GI tract, and GI symptoms are common in pediatric patients. We recommend that T1DM patients be evaluated for GI symptoms.

Diabetes mellitus is an independent risk for gastroesophageal reflux disease among urban African Americans

An association between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and diabetes mellitus (DM) has been reported. Studies have not been population-based and have failed to include a representative sample of African American subjects. The aim of the study was to determine if DM is independently associated with GERD among urban African Americans. Single-center, population-based survey utilizing a complex, stratified sampling design. To obtain a simple random sample of the entire African American community, targeted survey zones and hand-delivered invitations were identified. Participating subjects had to be self-described African American, age ≥18. Surveys were completed at a computer terminal assisted by a research coordinator. Four hundred nineteen subjects (weighted sample size of 21 264 [20 888-23 930]). GERD prevalence was 23.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 23.2-23.9). GERD prevalence was 41.5 % in those with DM versus 20.6 % for those without (P < 0.001). Those with GERD had DM longer but had lower glycohemoglobin levels. The prevalence of ≥2 DM comorbidities was higher in those with GERD (odds ratio [OR] = 2.06; 95% CI 1.71-2.48). In the final model, age >40, DM, increasing body mass index, harmful drinking, and increasing smoking dependence were independently associated with GERD. For DM, there was significant effect modification by gender. In males, the risk was (OR = 4.63; 95% CI 3.96-5.40), while in females, the risk was markedly attenuated (OR = 1.79; 95% CI 1.61-2.00). Among urban African Americans, there is an independent association between DM and GERD that appears to be stronger in men. More information is needed to understand this association.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in type 2 diabetics: symptom load and pathophysiologic aspects - a retro-pro study

Background

Information about gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in patients with Diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2D) is scarce, although the incidence of both disorders is increasing.

We aimed to determine GERD symptoms and their underlying pathophysiologic characteristics in T2D patients.

Methods

This “retro-pro” study compared 65 T2D patients to a control group of 130 age- and sex-matched non-diabetics. GERD was confirmed by gastroscopy, manometry, pH-metry and barium swallow.

Results

In patients with T2D compared to controls, dysphagia (32.3% vs. 13.1%; p = 0.001) and globus sensation (27.7% vs. 13.8%; p = 0.021) were found more frequently, whereas heartburn (76.9% vs. 88.5%; p = 0.046) and regurgitation (47.7% vs. 72.3%; p = 0.001) were predominant in non-diabetics. Despite higher body mass indices (31.1 ± 5.2 vs. 27.7 ± 3.7 kg/m²; p < 0.001), hiatal hernia was less frequent in T2D patients compared to controls (60.0% vs. 90.8%, p < 0.001). Lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) pressure was higher in patients with T2D (median 10.0 vs. 7.2 mmHg, p = 0.016). DeMeester scores did not differ between the groups. Helicobacter pylori infections were more common in T2D patients (26.2% vs. 7.7%, p = 0.001). Barrett metaplasia (21.5% vs. 17.7%), as well as low- (10.8% vs. 3.8%) and high-grade dysplasia (1.5% vs. 0%) were predominant in T2D patients.

Conclusions

T2D patients exhibit different GERD symptoms, higher LES pressures and a decreased prevalence of hiatal hernia than non-diabetics, which may be related to worse oesophageal motility and, thus, a more functional rather than anatomical cause of GERD. Low-grade dysplasia was more than twice as high in T2D than in non-diabetics patients.

Trial registration

Ethics committee of the Medical University of Vienna, IRB number 720/2011.

Population-based assessment of heartburn in urban Black Americans

Prevalence data for heartburn in the urban Black American community is lacking. In order to estimate prevalence for this community, we analyzed data from an ongoing cohort study in progress at our hospital. Comprehensive interviews allowed for exploration of factors associated with heartburn. Complex, stratified sampling design was the method used. Survey invitations are hand-delivered to random blocks in a single zip code tabulation area. One member per eligible household is invited to complete a computer-based survey. Heartburn was defined as ≥ 3 days/week of symptoms as defined by the Montreal Definition and Classification of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Scaling and weighting factors were utilized to estimate population level prevalence. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent predictor variables for heartburn. Enrolled 379 participants corresponding to a weighted sample size of 22,409 (20,888-23,930) citizens. Demographic characteristics of the sample closely matched those of the entire targeted population. Overall, the weighted prevalence of heartburn ≥ 3 times per week was 17.6% (16.4-18.8%). Variables independently associated with heartburn were body mass index, daily caloric and fat intake, diabetes mellitus (odds ratio = 2.95; 2.59-3.36), cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption (odds ratio = 2.55; 2.25-2.89). Factors inversely associated included illicit drug use and increased physical activity. Waist : hip ratio showed no relationship. The prevalence of heartburn ≥ 3 times per week is high in the Black American community. Adverse lifestyle behaviors showed particularly important associations. Our study needs to be replicated in other communities with similar demographics.

Gastrointestinal complications of diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus affects virtually every organ system in the body and the degree of organ involvement depends on the duration and severity of the disease, and other co-morbidities. Gastrointestinal (GI) involvement can present with esophageal dysmotility, gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastroparesis, enteropathy, non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and glycogenic hepatopathy. Severity of GERD is inversely related to glycemic control and management is with prokinetics and proton pump inhibitors. Diabetic gastroparesis manifests as early satiety, bloating, vomiting, abdominal pain and erratic glycemic control. Gastric emptying scintigraphy is considered the gold standard test for diagnosis. Management includes dietary modifications, maintaining euglycemia, prokinetics, endoscopic and surgical treatments. Diabetic enteropathy is also common and management involves glycemic control and symptomatic measures. NAFLD is considered a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome and treatment is mainly lifestyle measures, with diabetes and dyslipidemia management when coexistent. Glycogenic hepatopathy is a manifestation of poorly controlled type 1 diabetes and is managed by prompt insulin treatment. Though GI complications of diabetes are relatively common, awareness about its manifestations and treatment options are low among physicians. Optimal management of GI complications is important for appropriate metabolic control of diabetes and improvement in quality of life of the patient. This review is an update on the GI complications of diabetes, their pathophysiology, diagnostic evaluation and management.