Men's Osteoporosis Support Group

To participate in an online research project Click here.

Spinal kyphosis and acid reflux

Osteoporos Int. 2008 Oct 23. [Epub ahead of print]. Impact of spinal kyphosis on gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms in patients with osteoporosis. Miyakoshi N and others. PMID: 18949531. This Japanese study looked at the correlation between the degree of spinal kyphosis and the number of vertebral fractures as related to the amount of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in 112 patients with osteoporosis. They used the Frequency Scale for Symptoms of GERD (FSSG) questionnaire. Relationships between total FSSG score and number of vertebral fractures, angles of kyphosis, use of bisphosphonates and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and total number of oral medicines per day were evaluated. The found no relation between taking NSAIDS or bisphosphonates and GERD. There was a positive correlation between the total number of medications and GERD, angle of lumbar kyphosis, and numbers of thoracic vertebral fractures and lumbar vertebral fractures. The authors concluded: "Increases in angle of lumbar kyphosis and number of lumbar vertebral fractures may represent very important risk factors for GERD in osteoporotic patients."

Editor's comments. Note the finding regarding bisphosphonates not causing GERD agrees with a recent Update where I reviewed the literature on this topic and concluded GERD was not caused by bisphosphonates. Their implication of kyphosis as a cause is new to me, and would help explain why so many older individuals taking bisphosphonates have GERD and tend to want to blame the medications, not realizing the most likely cause.

If you have osteoporosis, GERD and kyphosis, check with your physician, it is possible the kyphosis is implicated. The study offers no treatment options, but at least you would know one likely cause, and possibly rule out other sources you had been blaming. Possibly sleeping on a wedged pillow, or other means of elevating the upper body, and/or on the left side, as suggested in the Update above, might help reduce GERD caused by kyphosis.

Return to Home