Abstract
BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hypertension (HTN) are common conditions with substantial health burdens. While prior studies suggest a link between GERD and HTN, findings remain inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to clarify the relationship between GERD and HTN. METHOD: A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase was conducted to identify observational studies published through December 2024. Studies evaluating the prevalence and association between GERD and HTN were included. Screening and data extraction were performed using Nested Knowledge software, with quality assessed via the Modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Random-effects meta-analyses were used to calculate pooled prevalence and risk estimates, while heterogeneity was quantified using the I (2) statistic. Publication bias was evaluated using DOI and funnel plots. RESULTS: Twelve studies, with sample sizes ranging from 71 to 12 960 participants, were included. The pooled prevalence of HTN among GERD patients was 16.80% (95% CI: 6.28%-31.02%) with high heterogeneity (I (2) = 99%). The pooled risk ratio (RR) for HTN was 1.381 (95% CI: 0.992-1.922) and heterogeneity (I (2) = 76%) highlighted variability. Sensitivity analyses and publication bias were evident. CONCLUSION: GERD is a potential risk factor for HTN, with GERD patients demonstrating an elevated likelihood of developing HTN. Future research is required to investigate the underlying mechanisms and confounding factors that may influence this association.