Screening of psychoemotional disorders in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Abstract

Background. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common digestive disorders, with a global prevalence of 20%. Recent studies have shown a strong association between GERD and psychoemotional disorders, particularly anxiety and depression, which significantly impact patients' quality of life. Objective(s). Assessing the importance of screening for psychoemotional disorders in patients with GERD, supported by recent literature data, highlighting their impact on disease progression and quality of life. Materials and methods. A systematic literature review was conducted by searching PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, UpToDate, and Google Scholar databases for the period from January 2020 to May 2025. The keywords used were GERD, psychoemotional disorders, anxiety, depression and screening. Original research articles and review papers were included. Results. The analysis of studies showed that between 30% and 35% of patients with GERD exhibit moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety and depression. An inverse correlation was found between the intensity of these symptoms and quality of life, with patients experiencing significant psychoemotional disorders reporting a greater impairment in overall well-being. The studies support the need to implement psychoemotional screening in routine gastroenterological practice as a key step for the early identification of these comorbidities, with a positive impact on clinical outcomes, treatment adherence, and therapeutic results. Conclusion(s). Systematic screening for psychoemotional disorders in GERD patients is essential for optimizing patient management. Integrating psychoemotional assessment into clinical practice contribute to personalized treatment by combining psychological interventions with antireflux therapy.