Complex Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Abstract

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most prevalent gastrointestinal disorder posing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Diagnosis should be objectively defined with endoscopy and pH testing, while novel metrics may augment diagnosis for inconclusive GERD cases, including the postreflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave index and esophageal mucosal impedance. Conditions that overlap with or mimic GERD should be considered such as achalasia, rumination, and eosinophilic esophagitis. Genetic testing for proton pump inhibitor metabolism is an option for precision therapy in complex persistent GERD. Proton pump inhibitor refractory GERD may require medical, surgical, or endoscopic therapies. The presence of GERD should be objectively evaluated in achalasia patients treated with peroral endoscopic myotomy, and further studies are needed to determine timing of this evaluation. Patients with scleroderma are at a high risk for GERD owing to abnormal esophageal motility and should be managed with aggressive medical therapy and lifestyle changes given the high prevalence of esophagitis and Barrett's esophagus in this population. Further studies are needed to understand the complex mechanisms of GERD in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and lung transplantation.