Severity of gastroesophageal reflux disease influences daytime somnolence: a clinical study of 134 patients underwent upper panendoscopy.

AIM To asses the relationship between severity of gastroesophageal refluxe disease and Epworth sleepiness scale as an indicator of daytime somnolence. METHODS One hundred and thirty-four patients underwent an upper panendoscopy as indicated by the typical reflux symptoms and were also investigated with regard to somnolence. Sleepiness was evaluated by Epworth Sleepiness Scale, which was compared to the severity of endoscopic findings (Savary-Miller/modified by Siewert). Patients with psychiatric disorders or being on sedato-hypnotics as well as shift workers were excluded from the study. The relationship between the severity of the reflux disease and daytime somnolence was analyzed with the help of multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS A positive tendency was found between the severity of the reflux disease and the corresponding Epworth Sleepiness Scale. In the case of the more severe type - Savary-Miller III - at least a mild hypersomnia was found. For this group daytime somnolence was significantly higher than in the case of the non-erosive type of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease representing the mildest stage of reflux disease. CONCLUSION The severity of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease influences daytime somnolence.