Supragastric belches are the main determinants of troublesome belching symptoms in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

Background Patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) frequently report excessive belching but it is not known what determines the severity of these complaints. Aim To determine what causes troublesome belching symptoms in GERD patients. Methods We included 90 consecutive patients who were referred for ambulatory 24-h pH-impedance measurement as part of the analysis of reflux symptoms. Overall severity of belching was reported by the patients using a 3-point scale. Furthermore, each belch perceived during the ambulatory measurement was reported by the patients using a symptom diary. Results No significant differences in frequency of gastric belches or combined liquid reflux and gastric belches were observed. However, the number of supragastric belches was significantly higher in patients with severe belching complaints compared to patients with moderate and none to mild complaints. Moreover, the number of supragastric belches which coincided with a liquid reflux episode was significantly higher in patients with severe complaints than in those with moderate and none to mild complaints. Per-patient analysis showed that belches coinciding with a liquid reflux event were more often symptomatic than isolated belches. Conclusions The type of belch determines the burden of belching complaints in patients with GERD. Supragastric belches, not gastric belches determine the severity of belching complaints.