Abstract

Background: Although gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) causes noncardiac chest pain mimicking angina pectoris, systemic studies surveying the effects of common cardiac drugs on symptomatic GERD are rare. Methods: To investigate the drugrelated GERD, this multicenter trial enrolled 201 consecutive cardiac outpatients (69.7 ± 10.5 y) after obtaining written informed consent. They were assessed using the Frequency Scale for Symptoms of GERD (F-scale) to screen for GERD with a cut-off value of 8.0. Clinical background was obtained from medical records. Gastric medicine was empirically administered at the discretion of the attending physician. F-scale score and incidence of GERD were analyzed individually in relation to background and prescription. Results: The average F-scale score did not correlate with gender, age or underlying diseases. F-scale score was elevated significantly (p = 0.006) by administration of calcium channel blockers to the patients treated with gastric medicine, suggesting that calcium channel blockers exacerbate the possibly preexisting GERD. Incidence of GERD within 2 months after starting warfarin tended to be greater than that at other durations (p = 0.087). Patients showing a high score (≥ 8.0) suggestive of GERD showed a correlation with the combined administration of calcium channel blockers (OR = 3.19; 95% CI of 1.01 – 10.11; p = 0.049) and warfarin (OR = 3.05; 95% CI of 1.00 – 9.27; p = 0.049) in the best logistic model. Conclusion: Although larger cohort is required, this survey demonstrates that the combination of calcium channel blockers and warfarin is an independent risk factor for GERD.

Author Details

Authors

• G. Nakaji¹
• M. Fujihara¹
• M. Fukata¹
• S. Yasuda¹
• K. Odashiro¹
• T. Maruyama²
• K. Akashi¹ on Behalf of Fukuoka F-Scale Trial (FSCAT) Group

Departments

• ¹ Department of Medicine, Biosystemic Science,
• ² Institute of Health Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

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