Abstract

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are two common gastrointestinal disorders, often presenting with overlapping symptoms. Recognizing the coexistence of GERD and IBS is essential for guiding clinicians in developing effective treatment strategies for patients affected by both conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of GERD and IBS co-occurrence and highlighted the clinical significance of addressing this overlap to improve diagnosis, individualized treatment, and patient outcomes. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched using the keywords “GERD” AND “IBS.” Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Statistical analyses were performed using Review Manager version 5.4. Pooled risk ratios (RRs) were calculated to assess the risk of co-occurrence between GERD and IBS. IBS was associated with a significantly increased risk of GERD, with a pooled RR of 3.55 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.40–5.25, p < 0.001; I² = 99%). Similarly, GERD was associated with an increased risk of IBS, with a pooled RR of 3.83 (95% CI: 2.81–5.22, p < 0.001; I² = 97%). The findings suggested a bidirectional relationship between GERD and IBS, potentially influenced by shared genetic or physiological mechanisms. Future research is needed to explore contributing factors and to develop strategies for managing the coexistence of these conditions to prevent complications.

Key words: Irritable bowel syndrome, Gastroesophageal reflux disease, Risk, Cooccurrence