Prevalence of non-obstructive dysphagia in patients with heartburn and regurgitation

• Published in: Clinics (São Paulo, Brazil) Brazil), 2020, Vol.75, p.e1556-e1556, Article e1556
• Main Authors: Batista, Andrea Oliveira, Nascimento, Weslania Viviane, Cassiani, Rachel Aguiar, Silva, Ana Cristina Viana, Alves, Leda Maria Tavares, Alves, Dauana Cássia, Dantas, Roberto Oliveira
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Brazil - epidemiology; Deglutition; Deglutition Disorders; Deglutition Disorders - epidemiology; Dysphagia; Esophagitis; Female; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Gastroesophageal Reflux - epidemiology; Heartburn; Heartburn - epidemiology; Humans; MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL; Middle Aged; Original; Prevalence; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1807-5932; 1980-5322; 1980-5322
• DOI: 10.6061/clinics/2020/e1556

Heartburn and regurgitation are the most common gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, and dysphagia could be a possible symptom. This investigation aimed to evaluate the prevalence of non-obstructive dysphagia in patients with heartburn and regurgitation. A total of 147 patients (age, 20-70 years; women, 72%) complaining of heartburn and regurgitation, without esophageal stricture, previous esophageal surgery, or other diseases, were evaluated. Twenty-seven patients had esophagitis. The Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) was employed to screen for dysphagia; EAT-10 is composed of 10 items, and the patients rate each item from 0 to 4 (0, no problems; 4, most severe symptom). Results of the 147 patients were compared with those of 417 healthy volunteers (women, 62%; control group) aged 20-68 years. In the control group, only two (0.5%) had an EAT-10 score ≥5, which was chosen as the threshold to define dysphagia. EAT-10 scores ≥5 were found in 71 (48.3%) patients and in 55% of the patients with esophagitis and 47% of the patients without esophagitis. This finding indicates a relatively higher prevalence of perceived dysphagia in patients with heartburn and regurgitation and in patients with esophagitis. We also found a positive correlation between EAT-10 scores and the severity of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms based on the Velanovich scale. In patients with heartburn and regurgitation symptoms, the prevalence of dysphagia was at least 48%, and has a positive correlation with the overall symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux.