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Obstructive sleep apnea is linked with nearly two-fold higher odds of GERD in adults.
Adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) were found to have nearly twice the likelihood of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), according to a new systematic review and meta-analysis, highlighting a clinically relevant overlap that may warrant more proactive screening in routine practice.
For many clinicians, OSA and GERD are familiar comorbidities encountered in everyday practice. However, whether this coexistence reflects a true clinical association or simply shared risk factors has remained uncertain. By synthesizing available observational evidence, researchers aimed to better define the relationship between these two common disorders.
The analysis drew on six observational studies identified through a systematic search of major medical databases. Adults evaluated for both OSA and GERD were included, and the quality of each study was critically assessed before the findings were pooled using established meta-analytic methods.
The combined evidence showed that adults with OSA had nearly twice the odds of having GERD (odds ratio: 1.96) compared with individuals without sleep apnea. Although moderate heterogeneity was observed across the included studies (I² = 65%), the investigators found no meaningful evidence of publication bias, supporting the credibility of the overall findings.
Beyond confirming a statistical association, the analysis underscored an important clinical message: reflux symptoms should not be overlooked in patients with OSA. Greater awareness of this frequent coexistence may support earlier recognition of GERD, encourage more comprehensive patient evaluation, and facilitate integrated management strategies that address both conditions.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies
Marines Vega Sanchez et al.
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