Outcome of nonerosive gastro-esophageal reflux disease patients with pathological acid exposure

Table 2 Variables associated with development of esophagitis in NERD patients: results of the univariate analysis

Risk factor	Odds ratio (95% CI)	P value
Smoking	3.1 (1.6-6.04)	0.0006
Regurgitation > 1/wk	3.5 (1.9-6.6)	0.0001
Severe regurgitation	2.6 (1.35-4.8)	0.005
Nocturnal regurgitation	2.4 (1.2-4.7)	0.01
Supine reflux time > 1.2	5.3 (0.8-38.9)	0.03
Continuing PPI therapy	0.3 (0.1-0.6)	0.001

Note that “continuing PPI therapy” has a negative odds ratio, and can therefore be considered as a protective factor against development of esophagitis. NERD: Nonerosive gastro-esophageal reflux disease; PPI: Proton pump inhibitor.