Association between gastroesophageal reflux and dietary hygiene factors: which non-pharmacological interventions improve the management of the disease

Asociación entre la enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico y los factores higiénico dietéticos: ¿cuáles intervenciones no farmacológicas impactan en el tratamiento de la enfermedad

Introduction: Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease belongs to the main reasons for con-sultation nowadays, causing a decrease in the quality of life of those who suffer from it; however, although the first line of treatment is non-pharmacological interventions, the indiscriminate use of drugs prevails over modification in patients’ lifestyles. Objectives:An updated state of the art on non-pharmacological interventions (hygienic-dietary fac-tors) was carried out, with the aim of generating a new perspective on how the patient’s treatment should be initiated or optimised, before reaching pharmacological therapy or even as a major adjuvant to it. Materials and methods: A systematic literature search was carried out in multiple databases, on articles published in the last two decades that will study lifestyle factors that influence the development of the disease; exposing the most relevant findings of each one and describing the triggering and aggravating factors of the symptomatology individually. Conclusions: Multiple lifestyle factors were found to influence the development of the disease: diet, consumption of high-fat foods, carbonated beverages, spicy foods, coffee, tea, alcohol, and other factors related to the way meals are implemented which, if intervened by the patient and medical staff will have a positive impact on the development of the disease.