GERD Higher After 9/11 Exposure

Acid reflux is more common among people exposed to the 9/11 disaster site, even if they don’t have other health effects. That’s the conclusion of a new study. Researchers looked at the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Prior research found higher rates of GERD among those exposed to the disaster if they also had asthma and/or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The new study took a closer look at GERD. The source was the World Trade Center Health Registry. This database includes rescue and recovery workers at the site. It also includes those who lived or worked in the area. The study focused on 37,000 people who had no GERD symptoms before 9/11. People who had asthma, PTSD or both were the most likely to develop GERD that lingered 5 to 6 years after the attacks. But GERD symptoms occurred in many people who did not have these conditions, too.