Show-Me State Times

A recent study from Saint Louis University has found that people who experience frequent heartburn, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), are at a higher risk of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD) within two years. The researchers recommend that primary care providers screen patients with GERD for signs of alcohol misuse during regular checkups.

Alcohol use disorder is a significant public health issue in the United States, leading to nearly 178,000 deaths each year. Many individuals with AUD remain undiagnosed, particularly in primary care settings where there are opportunities for early identification and intervention.

“If we know GERD patients are at higher risk, we can start asking the right questions and offering help sooner,” said Kimberly Schiel, M.D., lead author and acting chair of family and community medicine at SLU’s School of Medicine.

The research team conducted a retrospective analysis using de-identified electronic health records from more than 350,000 adult patients who visited SLU-affiliated clinics between 2020 and 2023. The data came from the Virtual Data Warehouse managed by SLU’s Advanced HEAlth Data (AHEAD) Research Institute. The study compared three digestive conditions: irritable bowel syndrome, GERD, and ulcers/gastritis.

According to the findings, only GERD was strongly linked to an increased risk of later alcohol problems. Patients diagnosed with GERD had an 18% greater likelihood of being diagnosed with AUD compared to those without GERD. This elevated risk was especially notable among adults under age 58 and was observed in both men and women.

The authors hope these results will encourage improved screening practices for alcohol misuse among patients with GERD in primary care settings. They also plan further research on how comfortable both patients and doctors feel discussing alcohol use during visits related to GERD.

The study appears in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine. Additional contributors include Timothy Chrusciel; Richard Gruzca, Ph.D.; Jeffrey F. Scherrer, Ph.D.; as well as experts from several departments at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and its AHEAD Research Institute.

Saint Louis University is recognized as one of the oldest Catholic research institutions in the country. It provides education to over 13,300 students and holds R1 status for its research activity. The university’s School of Medicine has been awarding medical degrees since 1836 and focuses its research on areas such as infectious disease, liver disease, cancer, heart/lung disease, aging, and brain disorders.