Diagnosis Of GERD Research Articles

The Analysis Study of Histopathologic Diagnosis of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: An Anatomic Pathology Comprehensive Systematic Review

Introduction : This systematic review explores the histopathologic features of GERD and its differential diagnoses, emphasizing the role of endoscopic and histologic assessments in clinical practice. Methods : A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines to evaluate the histopathologic features of GERD and its differential diagnoses. Results : From an initial pool of 6006 publications, eight studies were identified as directly relevant after a thorough screening process. The findings highlight the importance of biopsy sampling and histologic evaluation in differentiating GERD from other esophageal inflammatory conditions. Key diagnostic features included basal cell hyperplasia, elongation of lamina propria papillae, and dilatation of intercellular spaces, which were critical for distinguishing GERD from other conditions. Conclusion : This systematic review emphasizes the importance of histopathologic evaluation in the accurate diagnosis of GERD and its differential diagnoses. Understanding the distinct histopathologic features of GERD, as well as technical aspects of biopsy sampling, is essential for improving diagnostic accuracy and preventing progression to severe complications.

Overutilization of Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) in a Community-Based Hospital: A QI Initiative

Introduction: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are indicated for GERD, erosive esophagitis, and prophylactic use in patients at high risk for stress ulcerations. Long-term PPI therapy is associated with increased incidence of C. diff infections and community- and hospital-acquired pneumonia. Discontinuation of stress ulcer prophylaxis upon discharge and reevaluation of continued therapy will help reduce chronic, inappropriate treatment, which predisposes patients to adverse side effects. Aim: We sought to reform the process of inpatient PPI prescriptions based on clinical indications of therapy in order to reduce use and associated costs of PPIs by 30% over 6 months. Model for Improvement: We obtained an IRB exemption for a retrospective chart review study and collected pre-intervention data from 200 patients who had received PPI therapy between July-Aug 2022. Of these, 186 met inclusion criteria. We identified PPT overuse among all inpatient admissions, including those admitted under teaching services. Evaluating the timing of PPI initiation after admission, we found that a majority (83.8%) were started upon admission; 28.5% required PPIs throughout; and 25.2% of orders were placed within 1 day of discharge. The average duration of therapy was 3.9  2.59 days. On average, 50.5% of patients had a prior diagnosis of GERD, gastritis, or erosive esophagitis, justifying initiation of PPI therapy. However, almost a third (32.8%) met the criteria for stress ulcer prophylaxis. 17% of the cohort developed an adverse side effect, and almost 53% of patients were discharged with a new prescription for PPI. Measures: Root cause analysis revealed a lack of knowledge regarding adverse PPI effects leading to longer hospital stays. During the first PDSA, we conducted a session on “Use of PPI Inhibitors: Indications for Inpatient Prescriptions and Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis” in April 2023, educating Internal Medicine and Family Medicine resident teaching services about PPI therapy indications, contraindications, and adverse effects. Results: After our educational intervention, we collected and analyzed data from May 2023 to August 2023 and found 301 patients who met inclusion criteria. Their average age was 73.29 years. 169 patients (56%) had pre-existing diagnoses (GERD or erosive esophagitis), justifying initiation of Protonix. Of the remaining 132 without pre-existing conditions, 44 (35%) met criteria for starting stress ulcer prophylaxis. This was a 3% increase in appropriate utilization when compared to our pre-intervention data. 181 patients were discharged with a prescription for pantoprazole, of which 46 were PPI-naïve prior to admission. Conclusion: We found a decrease in inappropriate inpatient PPI administration by 3% after education. Although the post-intervention sample size was larger, the education resulted in a positive response in 1 month. The next PDSA cycle will alter the EMR order to provide only 3 orders for pantoprazole – one oral, one IV, and one for infusion, and orders will also require the selection of indication.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Voice Disorders Among Teachers in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction Voice is a crucial tool for communication, and voice problems are more likely to occur in professionals who frequently use their voice for work. Teachers, whose profession requires sustained vocal use, are particularly susceptible to occupation-related voice disorders. This study aimed to quantify the prevalence of voice disorders among teachers in Saudi Arabia, with the general population serving as a control group, and to identify associated risk factors. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted utilizing an online self-administered questionnaire, which was completed by both teachers and the general population in Saudi Arabia. The latter group acted as a control. The questionnaire included sections on sociodemographic data, teaching patterns, symptoms of voice issues, and the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) for assessing voice disorders among participants. Results The study included 640 participants, with 438 (68.4%) being teachers, the majority of whom were females (N = 406; 63.4%). The most common voice-related symptoms reported by teachers were hoarseness (N = 210; 37.9%) and dry throat (N = 147; 26.9%). Voice disorders, as determined by the VHI, affected 355 (55.5%) of the teachers. A high VHI score was associated with a diagnosis of voice disorders and GERD. There was no significant difference in the VHI scores between teachers and the general population (p > 0.05). Conclusion Teachers in Saudi Arabia exhibited a higher prevalence of voice disorders compared to the general population. Risk factors, such as smoking, longer teaching experience, and more teaching hours per week, were more common among teachers with voice disorders. Further investigative studies are warranted to elucidate the causal relationships between these variables and voice disorders.

Use of Preoperative Endoscopic Capsule-Based pH Testing Before Bariatric Surgery.

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy is the most performed bariatric operation in the US; however, a significant number of patients suffer from persistent or new-onset reflux. No consensus for objective preoperative evaluation in these patients exists. We compared capsule-based pH testing vs GERD symptom scoring to determine extent of preoperative GERD to aid in procedure selection for bariatric surgery. An IRB-approved retrospective review of consecutive patients at a single institution was performed from April 2021 to December 2022. During initial consultation for bariatric surgery, a validated GERD symptom subjective survey was administered. All patients demonstrating interest in sleeve gastrectomy or had a history of reflux underwent upper endoscopy with capsule-based pH testing. Sixty-two patients underwent preoperative endoscopy with capsule-based pH testing and completed GERD symptom assessment survey(s). Median BMI was 43.4 kg/m 2 and 66.1% of patients were not taking a proton-pump inhibitor before performance of pH testing. There was negligible linear association between the objective DeMeester score obtained by capsule-based pH probe and GERD symptom survey scores. Median GERD symptom survey scores did not differ between patients with and without a diagnosis of GERD based on pH testing (all p values >0.11). An objective method for identifying severe GERD in the preoperative assessment may aid in the decision tree for procedure selection and informed consent process. Patients with significant preoperative GERD may be at higher risk for future GERD-related sleeve complications. Capsule-based pH testing may prove to be superior to subjective symptom scoring systems in this patient population.

Prolonged acid reflux monitoring using acid exposure time and DeMeester score: two days are not enough.

Wireless pH monitoring allows for a definitive GERD diagnosis, which is essential for optimal medical or surgical management of the patient. However, there is no guideline recommendation on whether prolonged pH testing (72 or 96h) provides additional benefit when compared to the standard 48-h testing. We aimed to assess whether prolonged pH monitoring diagnoses more patients with GERD, as well as compare the DeMeester score to acid exposure time as diagnostic criteria for GERD. This was a retrospective analysis of consecutive adult patients who underwent wireless esophageal pH monitoring between August 2018 and July 2021. The primary outcome was the additional diagnoses of GERD (predominant acid exposure pattern) in patients who underwent 48-h versus 96-h pH monitoring. Secondary outcomes included comparison of the DeMeester score to acid exposure time and internal agreement between the first and second 48-h blocks of a prolonged96-hpH study. When comparing 48-h versus 96-h pH testing, the prolonged monitoring group was more likely to have a predominant reflux pattern and thus be diagnosed with definitive GERD by elevated DeMeester score (58.8% vs. 40.8%, p = 0.003) or acid exposure time > 6% (44.7% vs. 32.4%, p = 0.039). For patients who underwent prolonged testing, the results of monitoring beyond 48h led to a clinically meaningful change in study interpretation in 24.8% of patients. The study data from Days 3 to 4 yielded only a 56.6% agreement with the first 2days. In patients undergoing extended pH monitoring, almost half were found to have an abnormal pH study after a normal study on Day 1. An additional 25% of patients had a change in study interpretation by extending the study beyond 48h. Our findings suggest only 48h of pH monitoring will miss a diagnosis of GERD in a clinically important number of patients.

REVIEW OF CLASSICAL AND NEW DIAGNOSTIC METHODS REFLUX-ASSOCIATED ENT PATHOLOGY: PROTON PUMP INHIBITOR TEST, OROPHARYNGEAL PH-MONITORING

To determine the advantages and effectiveness of modern methods for diagnosing extraesophageal manifestations of GERD in relation to the classical ones. Methodology. This paper presents a literature review from Pubmed, Web of Science, Willey Online Library and Google Scholar sources over the past 10 years on the diagnosis of extraesophageal manifestations of GERD. We selected 73 articles on the epidemiology and diagnosis of GERD, of which 13 were on a new oropharyngeal pH probe (Restech). Based on the literature sources studied by us, we analyzed the effectiveness and accuracy of a new method for diagnosing extraesophageal manifestations of GERD by the pharyngeal probe test (Restech) in comparison with more classical research methods – a symptom questionnaire, a scale of clinical manifestations, a test with proton pump inhibitors and 24-hour pH probe testing of the esophagus.

Diagnosis and Treatment of GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease at the Primary Health Care Clinics in Korea

The prevalence of GERD and treatment costs are continuously rising in Korea, and the importance of primary health care clinics where the most treatment of actual patients is conducted is increasing. In this study, the diagnosis of GERD, selection of therapeutic drugs, and treatment methods in primary health care clininics were investigated through a large-scale multi-dimensional surveys. From January 2015 to December 2018, the study data of 18,010 patients with GERD were retrospectively investigated based on eletronic medical record at 542 primary health care clinics in Korea. Among all GERD patients, endoscopy was used for diagnosis in 16.11% of cases, and the most frequently performed in gastroenterology department (28.85%). The average BMI and the proportion of patients in stages 1 to 3 of obesity were highest in the ERD group, and the majority of the severity of ERD group was mild. Symptoms of the patients with GERD were mainly heartburn, gastric acid reflux, and chest pain. Drug treatment was performed in most of the patients with GERD, and PPI was the main drug, and Esomeprazol was prescribed the most among the main ingredients, and the ratio of PPI alone was high. The rate of symptom improvement after GERD treatment was slightly higher in the ERD group (75.91%) and the NERD group (74.36%) than in the GERD diagnosed without endoscopy group (63.89%). In domestic primary health care clinics, the majority were diagnosed with GERD without endoscopy on the basis of symptoms. The most preferred treatment for GERD was PPI, which was prescribed alone in the majority.

Improved diagnosis of reflux hypersensitivity.

Reflux hypersensitivity (RH) is characterized by normal esophageal exposure to acid and positive correlation of symptoms to reflux episodes. Positivity of Symptomatic Index (SI) and/or Symptom Association Probability (SAP) is used diagnostically, though experts support that concordance of both is needed. We evaluated differences among patients with RH and concordance of SI/SAP or not. Patients with typical reflux symptoms without previous GERD diagnosis, submitted simultaneously to Ph-Impedance off PPI and high resolution manometry were included. Self-response to PPI was evaluated. Patients showing SI and/or SAP positivity were considered having RH and further classified to definite RH if both SI/SAP were positive or indefinite if only one positive. Totally 2659 patients (M/F: 35.6%/64.7%, mean age: 45 ± 14) were included. Final diagnosis was; FH: 21.8%, RH: 29.3% (definite: 14.3%/indefinite: 15%), GERD: 36% and inconclusive GERD: 12.9%. Patients with definite RH showed increased total reflux time, total number of reflux episodes and length of hiatus hernia, and also numerically but not statistically significant increased rates of PPI responsiveness versus indefinite RH and decreased mean nocturnal baseline impedance. Moreover, they showed significantly increased rate of PPI response versus patients with functional heartburn (FH). Some PPI responsiveness is frequent among patients with RH as also with FH, and cannot discriminate those entities clinically when diagnosing RH using SI and/or SAP positive criterion. Patients with RH and SI/SAP concordance differ from patients without. Implementation of a strict RH definition (both SI and SAP positive) can better distinguish RH from FH and should be used in the future.

Reflux Disease Questionnaire Scoring and Utilization: A Scoping Review

Background: The RDQ was developed to assist in diagnosing GERD, but is now widely used in multiple contexts and validated in several languages. However, there is no standard RDQ scoring rubric, making comparisons between its uses challenging. Therefore, we performed a scoping review to explore the current applications and scoring cutoffs of the RDQ. Methods: The MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science electronic databases were systematically searched from January 2001 to January 2021 by a medical librarian using controlled vocabulary terms and keywords to identify experimental and observational study designs. Results: The search strategy yielded 5707 studies and 116 met inclusion criteria yielding a total patient population of 115 064. Studies utilized the RDQ to establish a GERD diagnosis (n = 52, 45%), report the prevalence of GERD symptoms within a specific population (n = 21, 18%), and assess the effect of an intervention on symptoms (n = 43, 37%). There was variability between the scoring threshold used for diagnosing GERD, with total GERD domain score ≥12 being the most commonly used (n = 16, 14%). Conclusions: The RDQ was designed as an aid for diagnosing GERD, but scoring methods and thresholds vary and the RDQ now is used to describe the prevalence of GERD symptoms and to assess symptom response to intervention. Based on the current review, the use of RDQ appears best suited for comparing diagnostic or treatment cohorts in which symptoms are evaluated. Interpretation of RDQ findings outside of a study-specific context is limited without accepted scoring standards.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Refractory GERD

Diagnosis and Treatment of Refractory GERD

Endoscopic measurement of hiatal hernias: is it reliable and does it have a clinical impact? Results from a large prospective database

ABSTRACT Objectives The aim of our study was to compare the results of endoscopy and manometry with regard to the presence and longitudinal size of hiatal hernias using a cohort of patients with PPI-refractory reflux symptoms. In addition, we aimed to investigate the clinical relevance of hiatal hernias and their size in relation to the occurrence of GERD. Methods Five hundred patients with suspected GERD due to typical reflux symptoms (heartburn and regurgitation) and inadequate response to PPI therapy underwent standardized screening at a reflux center. After 2 weeks of PPI withdrawal, all patients underwent endoscopy, 24-h pH impedance measurement, and high-resolution manometry (HRM). Both endoscopy and HRM results were available for 487 patients. Results There was a high correlation between the endoscopic and manometric measured longitudinal size of hernias (rho = .768 (p < .001)). Absolute differences differ on a small effect basis (Cohen’s d = 0.23). The presence of hernias increases significantly with the severity of GERD, regardless of whether the hernia was diagnosed by endoscopy or manometry. Conclusion In summary, endoscopically and manometrically measured hiatal hernia size are highly significantly correlated. Patients with refractory reflux symptoms and a hernia size of 4 cm are very likely to have GERD. In the future, this finding could greatly simplify the diagnosis of GERD.

Prospective validation of reflux monitoring by impedance-pH in predicting PPI response in typical GERD.

The Lyon Consensus proposed a hierarchical approach to GERD diagnosis based on conventional and new impedance-pH metrics, namely acid exposure time (AET), number of reflux episodes, post-reflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave (PSPW) index, and mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI). To define the value of conventional and new impedance-pH parameters as predictors of response to label-dose PPI in typical GERD. Consecutive adult patients with typical esophageal symptoms were prospectively studied with impedance-pH monitoring and treated with 8-week label-dose PPI. At the end of the PPI course, symptoms response was assessed. Among 255 patients who entered the study, 168 (65.9%) reported symptom remission. At ROC analysis, both MNBI and PSPW index were significantly associated to PPI responsiveness with AUC of 0.783 and 0.801, respectively. Cut-off values of 1747Ω for MNBI and 50% for PSPW index were identified as discriminators between response and non-response to label-dose PPI. At multivariate analysis, MNBI, PSPW index, and AET >6% were efficient predictors of PPI responses (OR 3, 5.4 and 2.3, respectively). Number of reflux episodes did not predict PPI response. The novel MII-pH variables together with pathological are highly predictive of response of the typical GERD syndrome to label-dose PPI.

Proximal esophageal impedance baseline increases the yield of impedance-pH monitoring for GERD diagnosis and is associated with heartburn response to PPI.

Impairment of esophageal mucosal integrity as assessed by low mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI) measured in the distal esophagus increases the diagnostic yield of impedance-pH in patients with inconclusive GERD diagnosis as defined by Lyon criteria. To assess the diagnostic yield of MNBI measurement in the proximal esophagus, and its relationship with PPI response. Expert review of off-therapy impedance-pH tracings from consecutive patients with heartburn, 80 responders and 80 non-responders to label-dose PPI. Data were compared to those from 36 healthy controls using ROC analysis. Multivariate analysis was performed to measure the strength of association of MNBI with PPI response. A threshold value of 2665 Ω was defined for proximal MNBI by ROC analysis, affording 91.7% sensitivity and 86.5% specificity. Proximal and distal MNBI were significantly lower in non-responder cases as compared to responders. Adding proximal MNBI positivity to pathologic (>6%) acid exposure time (AET) and positive symptom-reflux association, the proportion of patients with abnormal impedance-pH findings increased from 74/160 (46%) to 106/160 (66.3%) (p = 0.0016). Among the 12 patients with pathologic proximal MNBI as the only positive impedance-pH finding, 9 cases (75%) were PPI responders. According to multivariate analysis, AET and pathological distal and proximal MNBI were significantly associated with PPI response, the strongest association observed for proximal MNBI. Impedance baseline assessment in the proximal esophagus may increase the diagnostic yield of impedance-pH monitoring. Heartburn response to PPI is directly related to ultrastructural mucosal damage in the distal and in the proximal esophagus as well.

Comparative study of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication versus Hill-Snow procedure for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease in children: a single-blinded randomized controlled trial

BackgroundGastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition in children. Complete fundoplication provides better reflux control but it results in more dysphagia and gas-bloat symptoms. Antireflux surgery without wrap has fewer adverse effects but a higher failure rate in controlling reflux. Until now, there is little evidence as to whether complete or partial fundoplication is the optimal procedure in this age group.ObjectiveThis study aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication versus Hill-Snow procedure among children with GERD.MethodsWe conducted a randomized, single-blinded, comparative trial that included 40 children with a diagnosis of GERD, who were scheduled to undergo surgery. Children were randomly allocated to undergo laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication or Hill-Snow procedure.ResultsWhile the incidence of postoperative dysphagia was similar between both groups, the duration of dysphagia was significantly shorter in the Hill-Snow group. Likewise, the incidence of bloating was significantly lower in the Hill-Snow group than the Nissen group (0% versus 55%, respectively). We found three recurrent Hill-Snow cases versus two recurrent Nissen cases. The operative time was significantly longer in the Hill-Snow procedure (150 ± 52 min) than in the Nissen group (120 ± 48 min).ConclusionsThe Hill-Snow procedure is an effective alternative to Nissen fundoplication with no bloating and much less dysphagia, leading to faster recovery of ordinary eating patterns.

Evaluating the Effect of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease on Postoperative Dysphagia Following Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery-A Prospective, Multicenter Study.

Prospective cohort study. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the impact of a preoperative diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease on the incidence and severity of postoperative dysphagia in a multicenter population. After Institutional Review Board approval, written informed consent was obtained from all participating patients. Patients over 18 years of age who underwent an elective anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for a degenerative condition were prospectively enrolled at two academic centers from the years 2018 to 2020. Patients were separated into two groups: those with and without a preoperative diagnosis of GERD. Continuous variables were assessed using either an independent t-test or Mann Whitney U-test for parametric and non-parametric data. All categorical variables were compared using a chi-square test. A total of 116 patients met study criteria and were subsequently enrolled. Overall rates of postoperative dysphagia increased to 47.3% (n = 53) at 2-weeks but eventually decreased towards the preoperative prevalence of 25.0% at the 24-week mark. Patients with preoperative diagnosis of GERD had lower dysphagia severity scores on a continuous variable analysis in both the DSQ and EAT-10 surveys at 2-week follow-up in addition to the Bazaz survey at 24-week follow-up. Our follow up at 24-weeks was 85.7%. Our study shows that having a preoperative diagnosis of GERD has no significant effect on the incidence of dysphagia following ACDF. Nevertheless, having a preoperative diagnosis of GERD does seem to provide some protective effect on the severity of dysphagia that this patient population develops at multiple intervals over a 24-week postoperative period.

Diagnosis of GERD -up to date

Diagnosis of GERD -up to date

Differentiational diseases in the diagnosis of GERD -focusing on the topic of eosinophilic esophagitis

Differentiational diseases in the diagnosis of GERD -focusing on the topic of eosinophilic esophagitis

NON-INVASIVE METHODS OF DIAGNOSTICS OF GASTRO-ESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE IN PATIENTS WITH ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE.

The aim: To determine the diagnostic value of non-invasive methods of GERD diagnosis based on questionnaire data and a diagnostic test with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) with Rabeprazole in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Materials and methods: 90 patients were under observation, namely, 68 patients with coronary heart disease with concomitant essential arterial hyperten¬sion (EAH), 6 patients with coronary artery disease + arrhythmias, and 18 - others diseases. All patients were surveyed according to the GerdQ questionnaire, followed by PPI testing with Rabeprazole, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated for all the patients. A BMI of 18.5-24.9 kg/m2 was considered as normal body weight, and a BMI > 24.9 kg/m2 was considered overweight. Results: Based on the results of the questionnaire, it was established that the most common complaints typical for GERD were noted by patients with CHD in combination with EAH. There were 48 of such patients and, depending on BMI, they were divided into 2 groups: 1st group (n=14) - patients with CHD+EAH+GERD with normal body weight and 2nd group (n=34) - overweight patients with CHD+EAH+GERD. In patients of group 1, typical symptoms of GERD prevailed (in 71.4% of patients), and in patients group 2, the distribution of typical and extra-esophageal symptoms did not differ significantly (52.9% vs. 47.1%). Among the extraesophageal manifestations, pain behind the sternum (in the projection of the esophagus) was significantly more often recorded in patients of group 1, and rhythm disturbances in patients of group 2 (43.8% and 75.0% of patients, respectively, p<0.05). The results of the GerdQ questionnaire showed a direct relationship between GERD, body weight and symptom score. Patients with GERD+normal body weight had a mean score of 6 for classic gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, while patients with GERD+increased body weight had a mean score of 7. The sensitivity of the questionnaire was 78.7%, and the specificity - 92.9%. According to the PPI test, in the 1st and 2nd groups, already in the first three days, 28.5% and 23.5% of patients noted the disappearance of heartburn and after 10 days - 85.7% and 64.7%, respectively. Over the entire period, that is, after 14 days of observation, 85.7% of patients in the 1st group and 73.5% in the 2nd group noted improvement. Conclusions: It has been established that questionnaires based on the GerdQ questionnaire followed by a PPI test with Rabeprazole in patients with coronary heart disease combined with essential arterial hypertension have a high diagnostic value and can be used for early diagnosis and effective treatment of GERD.

Combined multi-channel intraluminal impedance measurement and pHmetry in the detection of gastroesophageal reflux disease in children with cystic fibrosis

ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence of GERD exclusively by means of multichannel intraluminal impedanciometry associated with pH monitoring (MIIpH) and compare it with respiratory symptoms in children with CF. To compare MIIpH with pHmetry alone to perform GERD diagnosis. MethodsAn analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with children diagnosed with CF who underwent MIIpH. Clinical and laboratory markers, including respiratory and digestive symptoms, were used for comparative analyses. High-resolution chest computed tomography was performed on patients with symptoms of chronic lung disease. Severity was classified according to the Bhalla score. ResultsA total of 29 children < 10 yo (18 girls) were evaluated; 19 of whom with physiological GER and 10 with GERD. Of the children with GERD, seven had predominantly acid GER, two acid+non-acid GER, and one non-acid GER. Three patients had GERD diagnosed only by MIIpH. Bhalla scores ranged from seven to 17.75 with no significant relationship with GERD. The number of pulmonary exacerbations was associated with a decrease in esophageal clearance regardless of the position in pHmetry and MIIpH. ConclusionsThe prevalence of GERD was 34% in children with CF. There was no association between respiratory disease severity and GER types. MIIpH detected 30% more patients with GERD than pHmetry.

LIKELIHOOD OF DIAGNOSIS OF EOSINOPHILIC ESOPHAGITIS VIA ENDOSCOPY IN DYSPHAGIA DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

<h3>Introduction</h3> The COVID-19 pandemic posed restrictions to many standard practices. Dysphagia is a common presentation of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in adults. The gold standard method for diagnosis of EoE remains biopsy via esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). We hypothesized that diagnosis of EoE decreased during the pandemic. In this study, we sought to investigate whether the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the likelihood of EGD for diagnosis of EoE in patients with dysphagia. <h3>Methods</h3> In this retrospective cohort study, we used the TriNetX Research Network to identify adult patients presenting with dysphagia to emergency department (ED) during the year of and the year preceding the pandemic. Patients with prior EoE diagnosis were excluded. Using 1:1 propensity score matching, the two cohorts were balanced for demographics, GERD diagnosis, body mass index, H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors use, anemia, smoking, and alcohol use. The 30-day likelihood of EGD, EoE and GERD diagnosis were contrasted. <h3>Results</h3> We identified 23,759 adult patients presenting to the ED with dysphagia in 2020 during the pandemic, and 20,398 patients in 2019 (the preceding year). After propensity score matching, 19,196 patients remained in each cohort. During the 30-day follow-up period, more patients received EGD during the pandemic versus the pre-pandemic period (11% versus 10.2%; P=0.020). The 30-day likelihood of <i>de novo</i> EoE diagnosis was not different (0.8% versus 0.8%; P=0.95), but more patients received GERD diagnosis during the pandemic as compared to pre-pandemic (33% versus 31%; P<0.001). <h3>Conclusion</h3> Our results revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic did not significantly impact the likelihood of EoE diagnosis.