Katie Boulton, our research scientist at RDBiomed and the Peptest labs, recently attended the OESO 16th World Conference in Strasbourg to present research into ‘dietary triggers’ of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD/GORD).
OESO (the Organisation for the Study of Esophageal Diseases) promotes multidisciplinary and multicentre studies on oesophageal disease.
The OESO 16th World Conference took place at the end of April bringing together key opinion leaders and researchers from 37 countries to share the latest advancements in the field.
Katie, who is studying her PhD at Northumbria University supervised by Dr Iain Brownlee (Associate Professor of Nutrition in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences) is leading a study looking to understand how dietary intake could impact on gastric reflux.
Her attendance at OESO 2024 also marked her first experience presenting at an international conference. She presented her work in short talk form to a range of experts from around the world.
The first study reviewed existing research to see how certain foods affect GERD symptoms. They analysed studies focusing on foods like coffee, high-fat meals, and alcohol, as well as the timing of meals. Restricting these items consistently limits reflux events and alleviates symptoms, but few high-quality studies have explored this.
Katie’s second study was interviews with users of Peptest, a diagnostic tool for reflux, to understand their beliefs and habits regarding food triggers. The participants reported that foods such as acidic and spicy foods, alcohol, and caffeine often triggered their symptoms.
The study showed that many people manage their symptoms through dietary changes and other lifestyle adjustments. It emphasised the importance of personalised advice to help individuals effectively manage their condition.
What’s next?
While some support exists for avoiding these trigger foods, the evidence is limited, highlighting the need for more comprehensive research.
Katie’s work is a testament to the ongoing efforts at RDBiomed to advance our understanding of gastro-oesophageal diseases and improve patient care through evidence-based research.
We are proud of her contributions and look forward to future developments in this vital area of health.
Peptest detects pepsin — the stomach enzyme that indicates reflux — in a saliva sample. Developed by the late Professor Peter Dettmar and used in over 40 countries, it is available directly to patients as well as NHS and private clinics.
- CE-IVD certified
- ISO 13485 manufacture
- Validated in 1,033-patient UK study
- Used in NHS voice clinics
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