Hormone Replacement Therapy Increases Risk Of Heartburn In Menopause

India

Postmenopausal women using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are at 29% higher risk of developing GERD, according to results of a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the journal Menopause.

Researchers from the United States conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of five trials published between 2008 and 2022. The trials together involved 1,031,134 participants. Through this study, they aimed to verify an association between HRT and GERD.

Pooled analysis showed that overall, the risk of developing GERD increased by 29% in postmenopausal women on HRT with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 1.29. The risk was increased 41% in those who were using estrogen (aOR 1.41) and 39% among progestogen users (aOR 1.39). Combined HRT use was also associated with GERD with an aOR of 1.16.

This study has demonstrated a link between HRT, whether current or previous, and GERD. The authors, however, caution that significantly high heterogeneity was noted on account of the differences in study design, geography, and the large number of subjects included in the meta-analysis. Inclusion of only five trials may be a limiting factor. Nevertheless, these findings suggest that postmenopausal women should be evaluated for risk factors of GERD when they are prescribed HRT. Patients should be counselled about “the risks and benefits of HT for menopause symptom management”.