S942 Early Life Experiences Prevalent in Retrograde Cricopharyngeus Dysfunction

Introduction: Retrograde cricopharyngeus dysfunction (RCPD) describes the inability of the cricopharyngeus muscle to relax, preventing burping. Current literature focuses on manifestation and treatment, but its etiology and associated risk factors are unclear. There is evidence that suggests early life onset and familial prevalence, but it is unknown whether this condition is inherited or acquired. Neonatal conditions have been linked with early esophageal motor dysfunction. The purpose of this study is to explore early-life experiences of those who have this condition, which may identify risk factors and thus improve early detection and prevention. Methods: This is an exploratory survey-based study utilizing Qualtrics to gather data from the Reddit subreddit group “r/noburp,” a growing community focused on RCPD. Adults aged 18 years and older who experienced at least 1 cardinal symptom of RCPD reported experiences felt early in childhood as well as general characteristics of their condition. Descriptive statistics were used to report proportions of the outcomes of interest. Results: A total of 211 adults qualified for analysis, with a mean age of 31 years old and 27%/69% male/female distribution. The most commonly reported early-life experiences were emetophobia (39%) and anxiety (38%), followed by difficulty being burped as a baby (20%). Other notable factors included colic (12%), seasonal allergies (10%), and major childhood trauma (10%). Notably, 28% reported none of the experiences listed. A family history of RCPD was reported by 29%, most often involving a sibling with similar symptoms. Conclusion: This study identifies potential early-life risk factors prevalent in RCPD. High rates of emetophobia and anxiety suggest a possible neurobehavioral component, while 20% reporting difficulty being burped as infants may indicate early sphincter dysfunction. These features may seem similar to patterns seen in conditions like dyssynergic defecation, where behavioral and muscular discoordination contribute to symptoms. The presence of colic and seasonal allergies raises the possibility of a broader hypersensitivity pattern. A notable 29% reported a family history, supporting a possible genetic predisposition. However, 28% reported no early-life factors, suggesting inconsistencies in disease origin. These findings support the need for further research into genetic and early-life contributors to RCPD to inform early diagnosis and possible prevention.