Skip to main content
Log in

Is alcohol consumption associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease?

  • Mini-review
  • Published:
Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE B Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common disorders with an increasing incidence and prevalence. Alcohol consumption may be a risk factor for GERD; however, the relationship remains to be fully elucidated. The results of different studies are diverse and contradictory. Systematic investigations concerning this matter are inappropriate and further well-designed prospective studies are needed to clarify the effect of alcohol on GERD.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akiyama, T., Inamori, M., Iida, H., Mawatari, H., Endo, H., Hosono, K., Yoneda, K., Fujiata, K., Yoneda, M., Takahashi, H., et al., 2008. Alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of erosive esophagitis and Barrett’s epithelium in Japanese men. BMC Gastroenterology, 8(1):58. [doi:10.1186/1471-230X-8-58]

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, L.A., Cantwell, M.M., Watson, R.G., Johnson, B.T., Murphy, S.J., Ferquson, H.R., McGuiqan, J., Comber, H., Reynolds, J., Murray, L., 2009. The association between alcohol and reflux esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus, and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Gastroenterology, 136(3): 799–805. [doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2008.12.005]

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bor, S., Capanoglu, D., 2009. The additive effect of ethanol and extract of cigarette smoke on rabbit esophagus epithelium. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 24(2):316–321. [doi:10.1111/j.1440-1746.2008.05634.x]

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chari, S., Teyssen, S., Singer, M.V., 1993. Alcohol and gastric acid secretion in humans. Gut, 34(6):843–847. [doi:10. 1136/gut.34.6.843]

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dore, M.P., Maragkoudakis, E., Fraley, K., Pedroni, A., Tadeu, V., Realdi, G., Graham, D.Y., Malaty, H.M., 2008. Diet, lifestyle and gender in gastro-esophageal reflux disease. Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 53(8):2027–2032. [doi: 10.1007/s10620-007-0108-7]

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Endo, T., Sakamoto, J., Sato, K., Takimoto, M., Shimaya, K., Mikami, T., Munakata, A., Shimoyama, T., Fukuda, S., 2005. Acute esophageal necrosis caused by alcohol abuse. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 11(35):5568–5570.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ferdinandis, T.G., Dissanayake, A.S., de Silva, H.J., 2006. Chronic alcoholism and esophageal motor activity: a 24-h ambulatory manometry study. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 21(7):1157–1162. [doi:10.1111/j.1440-1746.2005.04072.x]

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fields, J.Z., Jacyno, M., Wasyliw, R., Winship, D., Keshavarzian, A., 1995. Ethanol inhibits contractility of esophageal smooth muscle strips. Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research, 19(6):1403–1413. [doi:10.1111/j.1530-0277.1995.tb00999.x]

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Franke, A., Teyssen, S., Singer, M.V., 2005. Alcohol-related diseases of the esophagus and stomach. Digestive Diseases, 23(3–4):204–213. [doi:10.1159/000090167]

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grande, L., Monforte, R., Ros, E., Toledo-Pimentel, V., Estruch, R., Lacima, G., Urbano-Marquez, A., Pera, C., 1996. High amplitude contractions in the middle third of the oesophagus: a manometric marker of chronic alcoholism? Gut, 38(5):655–662. [doi:10.1136/gut.38.5.655]

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hung, C.S., Lee, C.L., Yang, J.N., Liao, P.T., Tu, T.C., Chen, T.K., Wu, C.H., 2005. Clinical application of Carlsson’s questionnaire to predict erosive GERD among healthy Chinese. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 20(12):1900–1905. [doi:10.1111/j.1440-1746.2005.03929.x]

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kaltenbach, T., Crockett, S., Gerson, L.B., 2006. Are lifestyle measures effective in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease? An evidence-based approach. Archives of Internal Medicine, 166(9):965–971. [doi:10.1001/archinte.166.9.965]

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kaufman, S.E., Kaye, M.D., 1978. Induction of gastro-oesophageal reflux by alcohol. Gut, 19(4):336–338. [doi: 10.1136/gut.19.4.336]

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Keshavarzian, A., Rizk, G., Urban, G., Willson, C., 1990a. Ethanol-induced esophageal motor disorder: development of an animal model. Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research, 14(1):76–81. [doi:10.1111/j.1530-0277.1990.tb00450.x]

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Keshavarzian, A., Polepalle, C., Iber, F.L., Durkin, M., 1990b. Esophageal motor disorder in alcoholics: result of alcoholism or withdrawal? Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research, 14(4):561–567. [doi:10.1111/j.1530-0277.1990.tb01200.x]

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Keshavarzian, A., Urban, G., Sedghi, S., Willson, C., Sabella, L., Sweeny, C., Anderson, K., 1991. Effect of acute ethanol on esophageal motility in cat. Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research, 15(1):116–121. [doi:10.1111/j.1530-0277.1991.tb00528.x]

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Keshavarzian, A., Polepalle, C., Iber, F.L., Durkin, M., 1992. Secondary esophageal contractions are abnormal in chronic alcoholics. Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 37(4):517–522. [doi:10.1007/BF01307573]

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Keshavarzian, A., Zorub, O., Sayeed, M., Urban, G., Sweeney, C., Winship, D., Fields, J., 1994. Acute ethanol inhibits calcium influxes into esophageal smooth but not striated muscle: a possible mechanism for ethanol-induced inhibition of esophageal contractility. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 270(3):1057–1062.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, E.S., Kim, N., Lee, S.H., Park, Y.S., Kim, J.W., Jeong, S.H., Lee, D.H., Jung, H.C., Song, I.S., 2009. Comparison of risk factors and clinical responses to proton pump inhibitors in patients with erosive oesophagitis and non-erosive reflux disease. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 30(2):154–164. [doi:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2009.04021.x]

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lopez, A.D., Mathers, C.D., Ezzati, M., Jamison, D.T., Murray, C.J., 2006. Global and regional burden of disease and risk factors, 2001: systematic analysis of population health data. Lancet, 367(9524):1747–1757. [doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(06)68770-9]

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mayer, E.M., Grabowski, C.J., Fisher, R.S., 1978. Effects of graded doses of alcohol upon esophageal motor function. Gastroenterology, 75(6):1133–1136.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mohammed, I., Nightingale, P., Trudgill, N.J., 2005. Risk factors for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms: a community study. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 21(7):821–827. [doi:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2005. 02426.x]

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2007. Alcohol Alert: Alcohol Metabolism: An Update. NIAAA Publications Distribution Center, USA, Vol. 72, p.1–6. Available from http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa72/aa72.htm

    Google Scholar 

  • Nilsson, M., Johnsen, R., Ye, W., Hveem, K., Lagergren, J., 2004. Lifestyle related risk factors in the aetiology of gastro-oesophageal reflux. Gut, 53(12):1730–1735. [doi: 10.1136/gut.2004.043265]

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nocon, M., Labenz, J., Willich, S.N., 2006. Lifestyle factors and symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux-a population-based study. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 23(1):169–174. [doi:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2006.02727.x]

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nozu, T., Komiyama, H., 2008. Clinical characteristics of asymptomatic esophagitis. Journal of Gastroenterology, 43(1):27–31. [doi:10.1007/s00535-007-2120-2]

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pehl, C., Wendl, B., Pfeiffer, A., Schmidt, T., Kaess, H., 1993. Low-proof alcoholic beverages and gastroesophageal reflux. Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 38(1):93–96. [doi:10. 1007/BF01296779]

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pehl, C., Wendl, B., Pfeiffer, A., 2006. White wine and beer induce gastro-oesophageal reflux in patients with reflux disease. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 23(11): 1581–1586. [doi:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2006.02922.x]

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Richter, J.E., 2009. Role of the gastric refluxate in gastroesophageal reflux disease: acid, weak acid and bile. The American Journal of the Medical Sciences, 338(2):89–95. [doi:10.1097/MAJ.0b013e3181ad584a]

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Silver, L.S., Worner, T.M., Korsten, M.A., 1986. Esophageal function in chronic alcoholics. The American Journal of Gastroenterology, 81(6):423–427.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Singer, M.V., Leffmann, C., 1988. Alcohol and gastric acid secretion in humans: a short review. Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, 23(s146):11–21. [doi:10.3109/00365528809099126]

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singer, M.V., Leffmann, C., Eysselein, V.E., Calden, H., Goebell, H., 1987. Action of ethanol and some alcoholic beverages on gastric acid secretion and release of gastrin in humans. Gastroenterology, 93(6):1247–1254.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vitale, G.C., Cheadle, W.G., Patel, B., Sadek, S.A., Michel, M.E., Cuschieri, A., 1987. The effect of alcohol on nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux. JAMA The Journal of the American Medical Association, 258(15):2077–2079. [doi: 10.1001/jama.258.15.2077]

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, J.H., Luo, J.Y., Dong, L., Gong, J., Tong, M., 2004. Epidemiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease: a general population-based study in Xi’an of Northwest China. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 10(11):1647–1651.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yin, S.J., Chou, F.J., Chao, S.F., Tsai, S.F., Liao, C.S., Wang, S.L., Wu, C.W., Lee, S.C., 1993. Alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenases in human esophagus: comparison with the stomach enzyme activities. Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research, 17(2):376–381. [doi:10.1111/j.1530-0277.1993.tb00779.x]

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to You-ming Li.

Additional information

Project supported by the National Key Technology R & D Program of China (No. 2008BAI52B03) and the Medicine & Health Program of Zhejiang Province (No. 2006B037), China

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Chen, Sh., Wang, Jw. & Li, Ym. Is alcohol consumption associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease?. J. Zhejiang Univ. Sci. B 11, 423–428 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.B1000013

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.B1000013

Key words

CLC number

Navigation