GERD does not shorten our life

According to research published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, Dr. Nicholas Talley from the Mayo Clinic College of medicine, people with gastroesophageal reflux disease do not have a greater risk of dying prematurely than people without a GERD.

The study started in 1988. 2% of the participants reported daily acid reflux symptoms, 13% reported weekly symptoms, 40% reported in frequent symptoms, and 35% reported no acid reflux symptoms. The researchers took into account the age of the participants, and other factors such as smoking habits, alcohol use, and long-term illnesses. They also identify all participants who died during the 10 year study. At the end of the study, the researchers found that, overall, patients who suffered from acid reflux of any frequency were no more likely to have died than those with no reflux symptoms. They even found some evidence to suggest that people who suffered from weekly or in frequent acid reflux symptoms were less likely to die over to the study period than those without such symptoms.

And at individuals with frequent acid reflux symptoms didn't appear to have an increased risk of dying, and added that those with less frequent symptoms in the general population may actually experience better survival.

Though this research does offer the comfort of knowing that our acid reflux symptoms do not appear to shorten our lifespan, it is still important that we continue to work with our doctors to keep our symptoms under control. While acid reflux symptoms may not shorten our lifespan, untreated or a under treated GERD can increase our risk of developing Barrett's esophagus. Having Barrett's esophagus increases our risk of developing esophageal cancer, which can shorten our lifespan.

Related resources

GERD
Barrett's esophagus
Esophageal cancer