Esophagitis and gastritis are associated with premature atrial contractions in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the association between premature atrial contractions (PACs) and esophagitis and/or gastritis in patients with gastroesophageal ref lux disease (GERD) symptoms. Patients and methods: A total of 108 patients (58 males, 50 females; mean age: 46.1±13.1 years; range, 37 to 63 years) who underwent gastroduodenal endoscopy to evaluate the presence of esophagitis and/or gastritis between February 2017 and September 2018. The patients underwent 24-h electrocardiographic monitoring for PACs. Esophagitis and/or gastritis rate was compared between PACs (+) and PACs (-) groups. Results: The PACs (+) patients were older with a male preponderance. The PACs (+) patients were also more likely to have esophagitis and/or erosive gastritis (p<0.001), higher serum creatinine (p=0.015), and larger left atrial diameter (p=0.049) compared to PACs (-) group. The PAC count was higher in patients with esophagitis and/or gastritis. Multivariate analyses showed that male sex (p=0.033) and presence of esophagitis and/or gastritis (p<0.001) were independent predictors of PACs. Conclusion: Esophagitis and/or gastritis in patients with GERD symptoms are independently associated with both the increased prevalence and number of PACs. Treatment of GERD may reduce PACs and subsequent further atrial arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation.