Concurrence of Vesicoureteral Reflux and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Children

Background: There is anecdotal evidence regarding the simultaneous occurrence of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which indicates the probability of pathophysiological commonality. Objectives: In the present study, we evaluated the concurrence of VUR and GERD in children candidates for the voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) study. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 62 children between 1 and 14 years old referred to a tertiary referral teaching hospital for VCUG in 2019 - 2020. All subjects underwent ultrasound to assess GERD and VCUG to rule out VUR. Results: According to the ultrasound assessment, 14.5% of subjects were diagnosed with GERD: 8.3% in males and 18.4% in females. VUR was detected in 48.4% of children (50.0% in males and 47.4% in females) using VCUG. Overall, seven (23.3%) had concomitant VUR and GERD: 4.2% in boys and 15.8% in girls, indicating no difference between the two genders (P = 0.125). The prevalence of concurrent GERD and VUR was also independent of age. In the two groups with and without VUR, the prevalence of GERD was 23.3% and 6.2%, respectively, indicating a relative risk of 2 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.32 - 3.02, P = 0.001). Conclusions: Regarding the relationship between GERD and VUR, despite the deletion of physiologic GER cases, the pathophysiological overlap between the two phenomena could be considered.