Correlation between Psychosomatic Assessment, Heart Rate Variability, and Refractory GERD: A Prospective Study in Patients with Acid Reflux Esophagitis
Hsin-Ming Wang,
Pao-Yuan Huang,
Shih-Cheng Yang,
Ming-Kung Wu,
Wei-Chen Tai,
Chih-Hung Chen,
Chih-Chien Yao,
Lung-Sheng Lu,
Seng-Kee Chuah,
Yu-Chi Lee,
Chih-Ming Liang
Affiliations
Hsin-Ming Wang
Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 123 Ta Pei Road, Niao-Sung Dist., Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
Pao-Yuan Huang
Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 123 Ta Pei Road, Niao-Sung Dist., Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
Shih-Cheng Yang
Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 123 Ta Pei Road, Niao-Sung Dist., Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
Ming-Kung Wu
Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
Wei-Chen Tai
Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 123 Ta Pei Road, Niao-Sung Dist., Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
Chih-Hung Chen
Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 123 Ta Pei Road, Niao-Sung Dist., Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
Chih-Chien Yao
Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 123 Ta Pei Road, Niao-Sung Dist., Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
Lung-Sheng Lu
Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 123 Ta Pei Road, Niao-Sung Dist., Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
Seng-Kee Chuah
Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 123 Ta Pei Road, Niao-Sung Dist., Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
Yu-Chi Lee
Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 123 Ta Pei Road, Niao-Sung Dist., Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
Chih-Ming Liang
Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 123 Ta Pei Road, Niao-Sung Dist., Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects a significant proportion of individuals, with life stress being a contributing factor. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between psychosomatic evaluations, heart rate variability (HRV), and GERD in a cohort of individuals. Additionally, the study aimed to analyze the sequencing changes following proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment and identify predictive factors associated with refractory GERD. Methods: A prospective cohort of 105 individuals with reflux esophagitis and a control group of 50 participants without acid reflux symptoms were enrolled. Psychosomatic evaluations, including GERDQ, GERDQLQ, RSI, BAI, BDI, and SSS-8, were assessed at baseline and during treatment. HRV parameters were also evaluated. Multivariate analysis was used to identify predictive factors for refractory GERD. PPIs were administered regularly for the initial 2 months and then used on-demand. Refractory GERD was defined as less than 50% improvement in symptom relief or GERDQLQ score ≥ 20 after 8 weeks of PPI treatment. Results: The GERD group had higher scores in all psychosomatic evaluations compared to the control group (all p-values p = 0.004 and p = 0.009, respectively). Conclusions: This study emphasizes the importance of considering physiological and psychological factors in the management of GERD. Psychosomatic evaluations provide valuable insights for assessing and treating GERD patients. Integrating stress management and comprehensive assessments into personalized treatment strategies is crucial.
