Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Cause for Eustachian Tube Dysfunction in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the effect of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) on Eustachian tube function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to OSA and GERD: OSA+GERD group; OSA-only group; GERD-only group; and normal control group. Results: There were no differences among the 4 groups regarding age, sex, smoking history, and alcohol history (all P > .05). The patients in the OSA and OSA+GERD groups had a significantly larger body mass index than those in the control and GERD-only groups (all P < .05). The proportions of patients with abnormal ETS-7 and ETD-Q results were higher in the GERD and OSA+GERD groups compared to the control group ( P < .008). There were no significant differences in ETS-7 and ETD-Q between the control and the OSA-only groups ( P > .008). The multivariable analysis showed that only GERD was independently associated with abnormal ETS-7 results (odds ratio = 3.090, 95% CI: 1.332-7.169, P = .009). Conclusion: Given the high concomitance rate in patients with OSA, GERD might be an important association factor of Eustachian tube dysfunction in patients with OSA.