Endoscopic Erosive Esophagitis Research Articles

Risk factors and 26-years worldwide prevalence of endoscopic erosive esophagitis from 1997 to 2022: a meta-analysis

Erosive esophagitis (EE) is the part of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) spectrum and may progress to esophageal adenocarcinoma. Due to its progressivity and unclear prevalence, we aim to identify the factors contributing in EE to decide the need for further examination. We performed a PRISMA 2020-based systematic search through PubMed and other resources up to June 2, 2022. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS). The odds ratio (OR) of each factor and worldwide prevalence of EE were measured. There are 114 observational studies included with a total of 759,100 participants. Out of 29 factors, the significant risk factors are age ≥ 60 y.o. (OR 2.03 [1.81–2.28]), White/Caucasian (OR 1.67 [1.40–1.99]), unmarried (OR 1.08 [1.03–1.14]), having GERD ≥ 5 years (OR 1.27 [1.14–1.42]), general obesity (OR 1.78 [1.61–1.98]), central obesity (OR 1.29 [1.18–1.42]), diabetes mellitus (DM) (OR 1.24 [1.17–1.32]), hypertension (OR 1.16 [1.09–1.23]), dyslipidemia (OR 1.15 [1.06–1.24]), hypertriglyceridemia (OR 1.42 [1.29–1.57]), hiatal hernia (HH) (OR 4.07 [3.21–5.17]), and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (OR 1.26 [1.18–1.34]). However, H. pylori infection (OR 0.56 [0.48–0.66]) and atrophic gastritis (OR 0.51 [0.31–0.86]) are protective towards EE. This study demonstrates that age, ethnicity, unmarried, long-term GERD, metabolic diseases, HH, and NAFLD act as risk factors for EE, whereas H. pylori infection and atrophic gastritis act as protective factors. These findings may enable a better understanding of EE and increase greater awareness to address its growing burden.

Clinical Endoscopic and Histologic Findings of a Long-Term Follow-Up (10.7 Years) After Roux-en-Y Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass: a Prospective Study.

Bariatric surgery, with laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LYGB), is one of the most effective treatments for long-term weight loss. However, there are few publications concerning endoscopic evaluations at late control. The purpose was to evaluate the macroscopic and histological findings at the distal esophagus, gastric pouch, jejunal limb and the evolution of Barrett's esophagus (BE) in the long term. Cohort of 110 patients with obesity underwent LYGB in a university hospital. Several clinical, endoscopic and histological evaluations were performed after surgery. Exclusion criteria were previous bariatric procedure, hiatal hernia > 4cm, BE with histological dysplasia and body mass index (BMI) > 50kg/m2. Average age was 38.7 ± 9years with 70% females. BMI averaged 39.6 ± 6kg/m2. Follow-up was 10.7 ± 2years, and 18 patients (16.4%) were lost. The total weight loss was 23.4 ± 7kg. Erosive esophagitis, present in 33% of patients, decreased to 5%. After surgery, intestinal metaplasia regressed to cardial mucosa in 5 of 8 patients. One patient developed a short-segment BE. The level of control to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptom control was 87% to responders (Visick I-II) and 13% to non-responders (Visick III-IV). An increase in dilated cardia type III was observed (p < 0.001). The length of the gastric pouch increased significantly after surgery (p < 0.001). Anastomotic ulcers healed at 6months with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use, without recurrence. LYGB is a very effective surgical procedure to control symptoms of GERD and/or endoscopic erosive esophagitis. Besides, regression of Barrett's mucosa to carditis occurred in 62%.

Usefulness of Endoscopic Hill Grade in Evaluating Children Suspected of Having Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.

Background/AimsThis study aim to evaluate the relationship between the Hill grade confirmed by esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and the degree of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) by 24-hour multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring (MII-pH) in children suspected of having gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).MethodsA retrospective review of 105 children and adolescents who underwent EGD and MII-pH for the evaluation of GERD from March 2013 to July 2019 was performed. Clinical features and results of EGD and 24-hour MII-pH were collected and statistically analyzed.ResultsHill grades 1, 2, 3, and 4 were identified using EGD in 56 (53.3%), 22 (22.0%), 16 (15.2%), and 11 (10.5%) patients, respectively. As the Hill grade increased, the proportion of neurological diseases (P < 0.001) and endoscopic erosive esophagitis (P < 0.001) increased significantly. The acid exposure index, bolus exposure index, number of reflux episodes, and number of GER reaching proximal extent on MII-pH increased significantly as the endoscopic Hill grade increased (all P < 0.001). Linear regression analysis revealed an increase in the Hill grade by 1 increased the acid exposure index by 2.0%, bolus exposure index by 0.7%, number of reflux episodes by 18.9 episodes, and the number of GER reaching the proximal esophagus increased by 10.5 episodes on average (all P < 0.001).ConclusionsHill grade on EGD was associated with GER in children. Estimating the degree of GER by applying Hill grade in the retroflexion view may be useful in practice when evaluating children suspected with GERD.

S0439 Prucalopride Improves Esophageal Contractility Ineffective Esophageal Motility: Prospective Clinical Trial

INTRODUCTION: Ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) is a manometric diagnosis defined by the Chicago Classification (v3.0) as ≥50% of swallows achieving a distal contractile integral (DCI) of < 450 mmHg-cm-s and maybe associated with dysphagia. This pilot study assesses the effectiveness of prucalopride a 5-HT4 enterokinetic drug in IEM patients with dysphagia. METHODS: Symptomatic patients with dysphagia diagnosed with IEM following high-resolution manometry (HRM) with impedance at a tertiary care motility lab were enrolled between August 2017 and September 2019. Patients with uncontrolled GERD (DeMeester score >14.7), endoscopic erosive esophagitis, eosinophilic esophagitis, use of other prokinetic drugs, or narcotics were excluded. Patients received prucalopride 4mg PO once daily for 5 days and then underwent repeat HRM. Outcome measures included pre- and post- prucalopride esophageal HRM values, dysphagia symptom questionnaire (DSQ), and quality of life (Eq5d-3L). These outcomes were compared with paired T-test, Wilcoxon signed ranks test and McNemar test as appropriate. Patients were classified into definite or indefinite for heartburn, acid regurgitation, and GERD based on the MDQ-30 subscale. IRB-approved study (NCT03244553). RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were enrolled; analysis was performed on twenty-five patients (13M:12F; mean age of 53.3 yrs (±13.97 SD) who completed the study. All patients had symptoms of dysphagia to solids. 76% of patients were on a PPI. The median time and IQR between baseline and post-HRM were 12 [8–18] wks. 18 patients (72%) had an improvement in mean DCI. There was a significant increase in DCI (mean 727.1 ± 548.7 vs 439.5 ± 286.7, P = 0.006), maximum DCI (mean 1198.7 ± 1198.67819.8 ± 540.5, P = 0.013), and decrease in the percentage of failed swallows (median 40 [IQR 25–70] vs 20 [10–50], P = 0.05), and acid regurgitation (P = 0.05) after prucalopride use. No improvement was seen in dysphagia or quality of life. Change in DCI correlated weakly with IRP (Spearman’s r =0.461, P = 0.021). The most common side effects were headaches (48%) and diarrhea (52%). A majority of patients (88%) reported a side effect, leading to discontinuation in 4%. CONCLUSION: In this short duration pilot study, prucalopride significantly improved the DCI, maximum DCI, number of failed swallows, and acid regurgitation in patients with IEM; however, no improvement in dysphagia or quality of life was seen. This pilot study warrants a larger study.Table 1.: Pairwise comparison of manometric values and patient-reported outcomes pre- and post- prucalopride therapyFigure 1.: Representative Pre and post-HRM picture of 3 patients who displayed significant improvement after prucalopride.

Association Between Erosive Esophagitis and the Anthropometric Index in the General Korean Population

Background:An association between obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease has been reported. However, previous studies have focused on obesity or central obesity.Aims:To investigate the association of the anthropometric index and endoscopic erosive esophagitis in health checkups of Koreans.Study Design:Case-control study.Methods:A total of 1.207 consecutive subjects (aged 40-80 years) during health checkups underwent upper endoscopy and bioelectrical impedance analysis. We collected anthropometric data by bioelectrical impedance analysis, which consisted of body mass index, percent body fat, muscle mass, and fat mass.Results:Of 1.207 subjects who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (mean age, 50.55±9 years), 239 (19.8%) had endoscopic erosive esophagitis. In a univariate analysis, the endoscopic erosive esophagitis group was more likely to be a male and had a higher body mass index, muscle mass and fat mass. In logistic regression analysis, only muscle mass remained an independent risk factor for EE after adjustment for both age and gender. Higher muscle mass was associated with increased EE risk (rate ratio: 1.354, 95% confidence interval: 1.206-1.405, p= 0.027).Conclusion:High muscle mass, but body mass index, is an independent risk factor for erosive esophagitis in a population over 40 years of age.

Is pH Testing Necessary Before Antireflux Surgery in Patients with Endoscopic Erosive Esophagitis?

IntroductionThe relationship between the Los Angeles (LA) grade of esophagitis and acid exposure by pH monitoring is unclear. The aim of this study was to correlate the results of pH testing in patients with esophagitis to determine at what LA grade of esophagitis a pH test is not necessary. MethodsA retrospective review was performed of the records of all patients who underwent upper endoscopy and were found to have esophagitis graded using the LA system and who had pH monitoring from 2014 to 2016. An abnormal pH test was determined based on the DeMeester score. ResultsThere were 56 patients with a median age of 57 years. Esophagitis was LA grade A in 19, B in 20, C in 15 and D in 2 patients. An abnormal pH score was present in 47 patients (84%). All patients with C or D esophagitis had an abnormal pH score compared to 79% and 75% of patients with A and B esophagitis, respectively. ConclusionsThe presence of LA C or D esophagitis was always associated with increased esophageal acid exposure on pH testing and is proof of reflux disease. However, pH testing is recommended prior to antireflux surgery in patients with LA A or B esophagitis.

Comparison of anthropometric measurements associated with the risk of endoscopic erosive esophagitis: A cross-sectional study

In this cross-sectional study, we assessed five anthropometric measurements to determine the most reliable indicator of the erosive esophagitis (EE) risk: body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist to height ratio (WHtR), a body shape index (ABSI), and body roundness index (BRI). This study included 182,407 participants who underwent an esophagogastroduodenoscopy as part of a routine health check-up. We used the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) to assess the discriminatory power of each anthropometric measure as an indicator of EE risk. The prevalence of EE increased per quartile for all five anthropometric measurements in patients of both sexes (1st quartile vs. 4th quartile, all P<0.05). ABSI had the lowest AUCs for EE in both sexes (AUC: 0.524, 95% CI: 0.519-0.529 for male patients; AUC: 0.524, 95% CI: 0.513-0.535 for female patients). In contrast, BRI was the best predictor of EE in male patients (OR: 2.095, 95% CI: 1.982-2.215, P<0.0001), and WC was the best predictor of EE in female patients (OR: 2.028, 95% CI: 1.785-2.307, P<0.0001). WC showed the highest AUC values for EE in both male patients (AUC: 0.571, 95% CI: 0.566-0.576) and female patients (AUC: 0.596, 95% CI: 0.585-0.608). BRI and WC were the most relevant indicators of EE risk in male and female patients, respectively. ABSI was the least reliable indicator of EE risk in patients of both sexes.

High rate of clinical and endoscopic relapse after healing of erosive peptic esophagitis in children and adolescents.

The aim of the present study was to estimate the rate of clinical and endoscopic relapse after initial treatment of erosive peptic esophagitis in children and adolescents. A total of 24 patients (2.1-16.4 years old, mean ± standard deviation [SD] 9.9 ± 3.1; male:female 3) with healed endoscopic erosive esophagitis and without gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)-predisposing conditions were followed up for 4 to 32.9 months (mean 20.8 ± 10.6 years). Structured clinical evaluation was performed every other week during the initial treatment and maintenance, and every 3 months after that. Whenever a clinical relapse happened, a new endoscopic evaluation was performed. Severity and frequency were scored on 10-point and 6-point semiquantitative scales, respectively. At baseline, epigastric pain was the most reported symptom (70.8%), with intensity scored as >5 in 88.3% of patients, and median frequency of 3 (weekly; daily in 5, 20.8%). Clinical relapse was detected in 20 of 24 (83.3%) patients after a median period of 14.65 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.7-25.7 months). Endoscopic relapse was observed in 9 of 20 (45%) patients after a median of 25.7 months. The dose of lansoprazole needed to heal the esophagitis was not significantly associated with the risk for clinical relapse (hazard ratio [HR] 1.74, 0.94, 7.72, P = 0.06), whereas the body mass index (BMI) was directly associated with endoscopic relapse (HR 1.3, 1, 1.69, P = 0.05). Children with healed erosive esophagitis have up to 83% clinical relapse and of the 83%, 45% had endoscopic relapse. Correlation of endoscopic relapse with clinical symptom is poor. Higher grades of esophagitis and higher BMI are risk factors for endoscopic relapse.

PA32540 (Enteric-Coated Aspirin 325 mg + Immediate-Release Omeprazole 40 mg) Is Associated with Significantly Fewer Gastric Ulcers and Significantly Less Endoscopic Erosive Esophagitis than Enteric-Coated Aspirin (EC-ASA) Alone: Results of Two Phase 3 studies ACG Auxiliary Award (Member/Fellow) Presidential Poster

PA32540 (Enteric-Coated Aspirin 325 mg + Immediate-Release Omeprazole 40 mg) Is Associated with Significantly Fewer Gastric Ulcers and Significantly Less Endoscopic Erosive Esophagitis than Enteric-Coated Aspirin (EC-ASA) Alone: Results of Two Phase 3 studies ACG Auxiliary Award (Member/Fellow) Presidential Poster

Increased Incidence of Endoscopic Erosive Esophagitis in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Background/AimsSolid organ transplant recipients frequently report gastrointestinal symptoms, especially heartburn or dyspepsia. However, the prevalence of endoscopic erosive esophagitis (EE) and associated risk factors after transplantation are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether there was a high incidence of endoscopic findings of EE in solid organ transplant recipients.MethodsThis retrospective case-control study included 256 of 3,152 solid organ transplant recipients who underwent sequential screening upper endoscopic examinations and an equal number of controls.ResultsForty-four (17.2%) and 16 (6.2%) cases of EE were detected in the solid organ transplant and control groups, respectively (p<0.001). In the multivariate analysis, transplantation was significantly associated with EE (odds ratio [OR], 6.48; 95% confidence interval, 2.74 to 15.35). Factors such as old age (OR, 1.17), the presence of a hiatal hernia (OR, 5.84), an increased duration of immunosuppression (OR, 1.07), and the maintenance administration of mycophenolate mofetil (OR, 4.13) were independently associated with the occurrence of EE in the solid organ transplant recipients.ConclusionsA significant increase in the incidence of endoscopically detected EE was observed in solid organ transplant recipients. This increased incidence was associated with the type and duration of the immunosuppressive therapy.

Laparoscopic Treatment of Obese Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Barrett’s Esophagus: a Prospective Study

Short-segment Barrett's esophagus (SSBE) or long-segment Barrett's esophagus (LSBE) is the consequence of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is frequently associated with obesity. Obesity is a significant risk factor for the development of GERD symptoms, erosive esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus, and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Morbidly obese patients who submitted to gastric bypass have an incidence of GERD as high as 50% to 100% and Barrett's esophagus reaches up to 9% of patients. In this prospective study, we evaluate the postoperative results after three different procedures--calibrated fundoplication + posterior gastropexy (CFPG), fundoplication + vagotomy + distal gastrectomy + Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy (FVDGRYGJ), and laparoscopic resectional Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRRYGBP)--among obese patients. In patients with SSBE who submitted to CFPG, the persistence of reflux symptoms and endoscopic erosive esophagitis was observed in 15% and 20.2% of them, respectively. Patients with LSBE were submitted to FVDGRYGJ or LRRYGBP which significantly improved their symptoms and erosive esophagitis. No modifications of LESP were observed in patients who submitted to LRRYGBP before or after the operation. Acid reflux diminished after the three types of surgery were employed. Patients who submitted to LRRYGBP presented a significant reduction of BMI from 41.5 ± 4.3 to 25.7 ± 1.3 kg/m(2) after 12 months. Among patients with LSBE, FVDGRYGJ presents very good results in terms of improving GERD and Barrett's esophagus, but the reduction of weight is limited. LRRYGBP improves GERD disease and Barrett's esophagus with proven reduction in body weight and BMI, thus becoming the procedure of choice for obese patients.

Efficacy of leukotriene receptor antagonist for erosive esophagitis: a preliminary retrospective comparative study

While diagnostic overlap exists between gastroesophageal reflux disease and eosinophilic esophagitis especially on histological findings, therapeutic approaches for the two disease entities are very different. Recently, anti-inflammatory treatment, in addition to acid suppressants, has been investigated for gastroesophageal reflux disease. This study investigated whether the incidence of endoscopic erosive esophagitis was lower in recipients of long-term leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA) treatment. This retrospective comparative study included 207 recipients of an LTRA and an equal number of controls who underwent screening upper endoscopic examination. Twenty-two (10.6%) and 51 (24.6%) cases of erosive esophagitis were detected in the LTRA and control groups, respectively (P < 0.001). A significantly higher incidence of minimal change esophagitis was also found in the controls compared with the LTRA group (14.5% vs. 2.4%, P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, LTRA treatment was significantly and inversely associated with erosive esophagitis (odds ratio [OR], 0.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13 to 0.46). Within the LTRA treatment group, an increased risk of erosive esophagitis was strongly associated with the presence of hiatal hernia (OR, 5.89; 95% CI, 2.20-15.73, P < 0.001) and short duration of LTRA treatment (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.37-0.89, P= 0.022). In conclusion, this preliminary retrospective analysis demonstrated that patients who underwent long-term treatment with a LTRA had low incidence of endoscopic minimal change esophagitis.

Laparoscopic Surgical Treatment for Patients With Short- and Long-Segment Barrett's Esophagus: Which Technique in Which Patient?

Laparoscopic antireflux surgery is very successful in patients with short-segment Barrett's esophagus (BE), but in patients with long-segment BE, the results remain in discussion. In these patients, during the open era of surgery, we performed acid suppression + duodenal diversion procedures added to the antireflux procedure (fundoplication + vagotomy + antrectomy + Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy) to obtain better results at long-term follow-up. The aim of this prospective study is to present the results of 3 to 5 years' follow-up in patients with short-segment and long-segment or complicated BE (ulcer or stricture) who underwent fundoplication or the acid suppression-duodenal diversion technique, both performed by a laparoscopic approach. One hundred eight patients with histologically confirmed BE were included: 58 patients with short-segment BE, and 50 with long-segment BE, 28 of whom had complications associated with severe erosive esophagitis, ulcer, or stricture. After surgery, among patients treated with fundoplication with cardia calibration, endoscopic erosive esophagitis was observed in 6.9% of patients with short-segment BE, while 50% of patients with long-segment BE presented with positive acid reflux, persistence of endoscopic esophagitis with intestinal metaplasia, and progression to dysplasia (in 5% of cases; P = 0.000). On the contrary, after acid suppression-duodenal diversion surgery in patients with long-segment BE, more than 95.6% presented with successful results regarding recurrent symptoms and endoscopic regression of esophagitis. Regression of intestinal metaplasia to the cardiac mucosa was observed in 56.9% of patients with short-segment BE who underwent fundoplication and in 61% of those with long-segment BE treated with the acid suppression-duodenal diversion procedure. Patients with long-segment BE who experienced fundoplication alone presented no regression of intestinal metaplasia; on the contrary, progression to dysplasia was observed in 1 case (P = 0.049). Patients with short-segment BE can be successfully treated with fundoplication, but for patients with long-segment BE, we suggest performance of fundoplication plus an acid suppression-duodenal diversion procedure.

Risk factors for erosive esophagitis: a cross-sectional study of a large number of Japanese males

The impact of obesity on gastroesophageal reflux disease remains controversial. We undertook this study, with a large sample size, to investigate risk factors for endoscopic erosive esophagitis by multivariate analysis, including visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) as covariates. Japanese males who visited our institute for a comprehensive medical survey between 2007 and 2010 were enrolled. All subjects voluntarily participated in a self-paid health check-up program including blood test screening, physical examinations, and esophagogastroduodenoscopy. VAT and SAT were measured by computed tomography at the navel level. Independent and significant predictors of erosive esophagitis were determined by multivariate analysis. Of 9840 eligible subjects, 1831 (18.6%) were diagnosed with erosive esophagitis. Body mass index and triglyceride were predictors of an increased prevalence of erosive esophagitis (odds ratios [ORs] = 1.063 and 1.001; 95% confidence intervals [CIs] = 1.020-1.108 and 1.001-1.002; p = 0.004 and <0.001, respectively). Heavy alcohol consumption, heavy smoking, and hiatal hernia were also associated with an increased prevalence of erosive esophagitis (ORs = 1.276, 1.399, and 2.758; 95% CIs = 1.085-1.501, 1.220-1.605, and 2.474-3.075; p < 0.001 for all). Helicobacter pylori infection significantly and independently decreased the prevalence of erosive esophagitis (OR = 0.346, 95% CI = 0.299-0.401, p < 0.001). Central obesity, as determined by VAT and waist girth, did not confer an increased risk of erosive esophagitis after adjusting for confounders. Lifestyle factors including heavy alcohol consumption, heavy smoking, metabolic disorders, and hiatal hernia increased the risk of erosive esophagitis, but central obesity did not.

The role of hiatal hernia in patients with endoscopic erosive esophagitis

Aim : This study aimed at determining the prevalence of hiatal hernia (HH) in patients with endoscopic erosive esophagitis (EE). Background : Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common problems all over the world. This may lead to erosive esophagitis. Previous studies have demonstrated that HH has an important role in the pathogenesis of reflux disease. The rising prevalence of GERD among Iranians necessitates more comprehensive studies about the underlying etiologies. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of HH in patients with endoscopic erosive esophagitis (EE). Patients and methods : In a case-control setting, 454 patients with gastrointestinal problems referred to the endoscopy unit of Tabriz Imam Hospital were evaluated during a 24-month period. Two hundred and twenty seven patients determined to have EE and 227 patient with non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) enrolled as the control group. The presence of HH was assessed during the endoscopic procedure. The possible risk factors for EE also elucidated. Results : HH was confirmed in 94.3% of the case group comparing with the rate of 30% in the controls (OR=38.49, 95%CI: 20.55-72.11; p Conclusion : This study showed that HH is a common concomitant finding in patients suffering from heartburn due to EE. Thus considering this pathological entity is necessary, especially in younger patients.

A New Era in Esophageal Diagnostics: The Image-Based Paradigm of High-Resolution Manometry

The development of high-resolution (HRM) catheters and software displays of manometric recordings in color-coded pressure plots has changed the diagnostic assessment of esophageal disease. HRM may offer advantages over conventional methods, including improved identification of motility disorders, hiatal hernia, and outflow obstruction, and ease interpretation. HRM studies were obtained in 50 healthy volunteers and 106 patients. HRM was performed using a 36-channel catheter, with sensors spaced at 1-cm intervals. Manometric findings were classified into abnormalities of the gastroesophageal barrier and those of the esophageal body and validated by comparison with endoscopic and radiographic diagnostic methods. The mean time for HRM was significantly lower than that for a conventional method (8.1versus 24.4 minutes; p < 0.0001). A structurally defective lower esophageal sphincter (LES) was present in 53 (57.3%) patients, a hypertensive LES in 6 (7.8%), and impaired LES relaxation in 17 patients (16.7%). Validating the LES findings, 86.3% (44 of 51) of patients with a defective sphincter by HRM had radiographic or endoscopic evidence of a hiatal hernia, and 80% (41 of 51) had a positive pH study, endoscopic erosive esophagitis, or Barrett's esophagus. Evidence of a hiatal hernia by HRM was seen in 33 (56%) patients; a hiatal hernia was seen in 91% (30 of 33) of these on endoscopy and 81% (17 of 21) on barium swallow. Fifty-eight patients (54.7%) had an abnormal body motility. HRM studies are shorter than those using conventional methods. Interpretation is image based, and correlation with objective endoscopic and physiologic findings confirms the accuracy of interpretation. The introduction of HRM is a significant advance in the outpatient evaluation of esophageal function.

The impact of upper GI endoscopy referral volume on the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease and its complications: a 1-year cross-sectional study in a referral area with 260,000 inhabitants

OBJECTIVES: Less than half of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have endoscopic erosive esophagitis (endoscopy positive GERD). Symptomatic GERD and Barrett’s esophagus (BE), however, are risk factors for esophageal and gastric cardia adenocarcinomas. The aim of the present study was to examine the prevalence of GERD-related findings on endoscopy according to the volume of referrals to upper GI endoscopy. METHODS: The following data were gathered on all GERD patients who were sent for upper GI endoscopy by general practitioners (GPs) during 1 yr in our hospital referral area of 260,000 inhabitants: the number of referrals to endoscopy in health care units, and the numbers of endoscopy positive GERD, BE, and esophageal neoplasms. Patients with symptoms or signs suggesting acute upper GI bleeding and those attending follow-up endoscopy ( e.g., for BE, peptic ulcer, or dysplasia) were excluded, as were patients with previous esophagogastric surgery or Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 3378 patients, with a mean age of 58.1 yr (95% CI = 57.5–58.6) and a male:female ratio of 1:1.3. Of the 760 patients who underwent endoscopy because of heartburn or regurgitation, 254 (33.4%) had endoscopy positive (erosive) GERD, 11 (1.4%) BE (one with esophageal adenocarcinoma), six (0.8%) esophageal ulcer, and one peptic esophageal stricture (0.1%). Between health care units, the referrals to endoscopy (number of endoscopies/population/yr) varied from 0.6 to 9.2/1000 inhabitants/yr (median 3.3/1000/yr). In health care units with “high” referral volumes (≥3.3 referrals/1000/yr, N = 15, 1297 patients) and “low” referral volumes (<3.3/1000/yr, N = 15, 2081 patients), the numbers of endoscopy positive GERD were 281 (21.7%) versus 308 (14.9%, p <0.001), esophageal ulcer 13 (1.0%) versus 14 (0.7%, p = 0.3), esophageal stricture five (0.4%) versus seven (0.3%, p = 0.4), Barrett’s esophagus eight (0.6%) versus 16 (0.8%, p = 0.6), and esophageal neoplasm two (0.2%) versus six (0.3%, p = 0.2). Five of the neoplasms were squamous cell carcinomas, two were adenocarcinomas, and one was lymphoma. Multivariate analyses showed that independent risk factors for endoscopy positive GERD were male sex (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.2–1.7), GERD symptoms (OR = 3.3, 95% CI = 2.7–4.0), dysphagia (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.0–2.1), and living in a high referral area (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.2–1.7). Independent risk factors for BE were male sex (OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.1–6.1) and GERD symptoms (OR = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.3–6.6), whereas the only independent risk factor for esophageal neoplasm was dysphagia (OR = 40.0 (95% CI = 7.7–207.5). CONCLUSIONS: There is a wide variation in GPs’ referrals for endoscopy. Increasing the referral volume significantly increases the proportion of endoscopy positive GERD cases, but not that of GERD complications such as BE, esophageal ulcer, peptic stricture, or esophageal neoplasms.

The impact of upper GI endoscopy referral volume on the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease and its complications: a 1-year cross-sectional study in a referral area with 260,000 inhabitants.

Less than half of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have endoscopic erosive esophagitis (endoscopy positive GERD). Symptomatic GERD and Barrett's esophagus (BE), however, are risk factors for esophageal and gastric cardia adenocarcinomas. The aim of the present study was to examine the prevalence of GERD-related findings on endoscopy according to the volume of referrals to upper GI endoscopy. The following data were gathered on all GERD patients who were sent for upper GI endoscopy by general practitioners (GPs) during 1 yr in our hospital referral area of 260,000 inhabitants: the number of referrals to endoscopy in health care units, and the numbers of endoscopy positive GERD, BE, and esophageal neoplasms. Patients with symptoms or signs suggesting acute upper GI bleeding and those attending follow-up endoscopy (e.g., for BE, peptic ulcer, or dysplasia) were excluded, as were patients with previous esophagogastric surgery or Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy. The study population consisted of 3378 patients, with a mean age of 58.1 yr (95% CI = 57.5-58.6) and a male:female ratio of 1:1.3. Of the 760 patients who underwent endoscopy because of heartburn or regurgitation, 254 (33.4%) had endoscopy positive (erosive) GERD, 11 (1.4%) BE (one with esophageal adenocarcinoma), six (0.8%) esophageal ulcer, and one peptic esophageal stricture (0.1%). Between health care units, the referrals to endoscopy (number of endoscopies/population/yr) varied from 0.6 to 9.2/1000 inhabitants/yr (median 3.3/1000/yr). In health care units with "high" referral volumes (> or = 3.3 referrals/1000/yr, N = 15, 1297 patients) and "low" referral volumes (< 3.3/1000/yr, N = 15, 2081 patients), the numbers of endoscopy positive GERD were 281 (21.7%) versus 308 (14.9%, p < 0.001), esophageal ulcer 13 (1.0%) versus 14 (0.7%, p = 0.3), esophageal stricture five (0.4%) versus seven (0.3%, p = 0.4), Barrett's esophagus eight (0.6%) versus 16 (0.8%, p = 0.6), and esophageal neoplasm two (0.2%) versus six (0.3%, p = 0.2). Five of the neoplasms were squamous cell carcinomas, two were adenocarcinomas, and one was lymphoma. Multivariate analyses showed that independent risk factors for endoscopy positive GERD were male sex (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.2-1.7), GERD symptoms (OR = 3.3, 95% CI = 2.7-4.0), dysphagia (OR = 1.4,95% CI = 1.0-2.1), and living in a high referral area (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.2-1.7). Independent risk factors for BE were male sex (OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.1-6.1) and GERD symptoms (OR = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.3-6.6), whereas the only independent risk factor for esophageal neoplasm was dysphagia (OR = 40.0 (95% CI = 7.7-207.5). There is a wide variation in GPs' referrals for endoscopy. Increasing the referral volume significantly increases the proportion of endoscopy positive GERD cases, but not that of GERD complications such as BE, esophageal ulcer, peptic stricture, or esophageal neoplasms.

Effect of cisapride on nocturnal transient LES relaxations and gastroesophageal reflux in patients with esophagitis: A double-blind placebo-controlled study

BACKGROUND:The positive effect of cisapride on esophageal and LES pressure is well documented. However, its effect on nocturnal transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (TLESRs) during sleep is still not well studied. Our AIM was to investigate the affect of cisapride on the frequency of TLESRs and esophageal acid exposure during sleep in patients with endoscopic erosive esophagitis using a double-blind placebo-controlled design. METHODS:IO pts (6 M, 4 F, mean age 54.4_+10.4) entered the study. They were randomly assigned to 5 days of treatment with cisapride 10 mg QID, or placebo, separated by 2 days washout period before the crossover of the treatments. At the end of each treatment regimen, pts were admitted to a sleep lab for overnight monitoring of the sleep stages by electroencephalography (EEG), LES tone and esophageal pressures at 5 and lO-cm levels above LES by a water-perfused catheter equipped with a Dent-sleeve, esophageal pH at 5 cm above LES, and swallowing recorded by a microphone. RESULTS: 9 pts completed the study. All pts revealed normal peristaltic esophageal contractions with wet swallows. According to the EEG tracings, pts had only 3.7+_1.9 hrs and 3.2_+2.3 hrs sleep during the nights with cieapride and placebo, respectively, P = 0.65. Only TLESRs dunng sleep were considered for the analysis (table). CONCLUSION: This study has shown that cisapride, a 5-HT, agoniet, decreased the frequency but not the duration of nocturnal TLESRs during sleep in patients with erosive esophagifis. These data suggest that in developing future pharmacotherapy for reducing of TLESRs to treat GERD, the role of 5-HT4 agonists should be considered.

Classical Barrett Esophagus Contrasted with Barrett-Type Epithelium at Normal-Appearing Esophagogastric Junction: Comparison of Demographic, Endoscopic, and Histologic Features

Background: Incomplete intestinal metaplasia or specialized columnar epithelium (SCE) is the histologic hallmark of Barrett esophagus (BE), but it may also occur at a normal-appearing gastroesophageal junction without BE. We studied whether differences occur between BE patients and those with SCE at the squamocolumnar junction but without BE (abbreviated JSCE), in terms of endoscopic and histologic signs of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Helicobacter pylori gastritis. Methods: A total of 1059 consecutive patients referred for endoscopy in one hospital district in Finland were enrolled in the study. Biopsy specimens (at least two from each site) were obtained from the gastric antrum and the corpus of the stomach and from the esophagogastric junction and distal esophagus. Results: Classical BE was detected in 25 (2%) and JSCE in 99 (9%) patients. Dysplasia in the metaplastic mucosa was observed in six BE patients but in none of the JSCE patients (P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis the independent risk factors for BE were endoscopic erosive esophagitis (odds ratio (OR), 6.08; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.50-14.82), male sex (OR, 3.02; 95% CI, 1.20-7.65), and age (OR, 1.02 per year; 95% CI, 1.00-1.06). The independent risk factors for JSCE were endoscopic erosive esophagitis (OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.08-3.29) and age (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.02-1.05) but not H. pylori infection (OR, 1.57; 95% CI, 0.83-2.97) or chronic gastritis (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.44-1.75). In univariate analysis, however, JSCE was associated with antral-predominant atrophic gastritis (77% H. pylori-positive). Unlike in JSCE patients, male sex strongly predominated among BE patients (P = 0.01). The mean ages of BE and JSCE patients did not differ. Conclusions: Both BE and JSCE without BE increase in prevalence with age, and both associate with endoscopic erosive esophagitis but not with H. pylori gastritis. However, because of the marked sex disparity, JSCE cannot be a direct precursor of BE, and some factors other than GERD alone also play a role in the pathogenesis of BE. Compared with BE, dysplasia is a rare finding in JSCE, and endoscopic surveillance with biopsy specimens from JSCE patients without dysplasia is not recommended.