Frequency Of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptoms Research Articles

Efficacy of abdominal breathing on sleep and quality of life among patients with non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux.

Abdominal breathing recently has demonstrated an important role in managing symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), improving quality of life, medication adherence, and sleep quality. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of abdominal breathing on sleep and quality of life in patients with non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux. A Quasi-experimental design was used. A purposive sample of 100 patients was selected from the medical outpatient clinics of Menoufia University Hospital and the outpatient clinics of the National Liver Institute in Menoufia Governorate, Egypt. A Structured interview questionnaire was used to collect data on patients' sociodemographic characteristics, belly breathing exercise performance and self-reported compliance, GERD symptoms severity and frequency, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and GERD Health-Related Quality of Life. The frequency of GERD symptoms decreased from 26.64 pre-intervention to 17.61 and 9.58, respectively, at two- and four-months post-intervention. Antacid consumption among patients taking it 7 days/week was reduced from 34% pre-intervention to 2% and 0% post-intervention by two and four months, respectively. Good sleepers were 24% pre-intervention then increased to 62% and 90% post-intervention by 2 and 4 months, respectively. Regarding GERD related quality of life, only 1% was satisfied pre-intervention, which increased to 32% and 72% post-intervention by 2 and 4 months, respectively. Abdominal breathing offers better therapeutic improvements in all patients' outcomes such as reduced severity and frequency of GERD symptoms, reduced antacid consumption, increased sleep quality, and increased satisfaction with life quality. Healthcare professionals are encouraged to incorporate abdominal breathing into treatment protocols for patients with non-erosive GERD.

Multicentre prospective study to evaluate effectiveness and safety of gel-forming and hyaluronic-acid containing chewable tablets as add-on treatment in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and unsatisfying proton pump inhibitor therapy

BackgroundGastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disease which in the majority of patients is treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPI). However, up to 45% of the patients remain symptomatic on a standard dose of PPI. This study investigated the effectiveness and safety of an add-on therapy with the gel-forming chewable tablet Sobrade® in patients unsatisfied with PPI treatment. The bioadhesive gel covers the oesophagus and thereby protects the mucosa from reflux events.Methods47 patients with symptomatic GERD despite PPI treatment participated in this study. The gel-forming tablets were taken up to four times daily after meals and prior to bedtime. Severity and frequency of GERD symptoms were evaluated during two onsite visits prior and following 14 days of treatment and used to calculate the GERD score of the Reflux Disease Questionnaire. Furthermore, patients recorded symptoms as well as onset and duration of symptoms relief daily in their electronic dairies. Effectiveness of treatment was analysed using non-parametric paired Wilcoxon test. In addition, anchor-based minimal important differences (MID) were assessed.ResultsTreatment resulted in significant reduction of GERD symptoms. Severity and frequency of 8 of the 9 assessed symptoms improved significantly during the treatment phase whereby most pronounced improvement was observed for heartburn. In agreement, all three subscales of the GERD score improved significantly. MID results suggest that patients considered a mean improvement of symptoms > 30% of initial severity as beneficial. Self-assessments by patients revealed first significant improvements of symptoms like heartburn and regurgitation from day 5 of treatment onwards. 49% of patients reported relief of symptoms within 15 min which lasted on average for 3.5 h. During the study no treatment emergent adverse events were reported and in 98% of all cases tolerability of the product was rated as very good or good.ConclusionsThis study revealed a pronounced improvement of the symptoms after add-on treatment with the gel-forming medical device. The very good safety and tolerability profile indicate an advantageous risk-benefit ratio.Trial registrationThis non-interventional study was prospectively positively evaluated by the responsible ethic-committees.

High-resolution Manometry Determinants of Refractoriness of Reflux Symptoms to Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy.

Background/AimsImpaired esophageal motility and disrupted esophagogastric junction (EGJ) on high-resolution manometry (HRM) have been associated with increased reflux severity in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients. However, there are limited data evaluating HRM parameters in proton pump inhibitors (PPI) non-responders.MethodsClinical and endoscopic data, HRM and multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH studies performed of PPI therapy in patients with typical GERD symptoms were reviewed from 3 international centers. Frequency of GERD symptoms was assessed on and off PPI therapy in both non-responders (< 50% symptom improvement on PPI therapy) and responders. Rome IV definitions identified non-erosive reflux disease, reflux hypersensitivity, and functional heartburn. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine predictors of non-response.ResultsOf 204 patients, 105 were PPI non-responders and 99 were responders. Non-responders showed higher EGJ contractile integral values, and a lower frequency of type II and III EGJ morphology (P ≤ 0.03 for each comparison). Esophageal body diagnoses on HRM (fragmented peristalsis, ineffective esophageal motility, or absent peristalsis) did not predict non-response. On multivariate analysis, non-pathological acid exposure time (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.2-5.0; P < 0.001), normal mean nocturnal baseline impedance values (OR, 2.7-2.4; 95% CI, 1.0-6.1; P < 0.05), normal EGJ contractile integral values (OR, 3; 95% CI, 1.3-7.4; P = 0.012), and presence of type I EGJ morphology (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.0-3.4; P = 0.044) were associated with an unfavorable response to PPIs.ConclusionsIntact EGJ metrics on HRM complement normal reflux burden in predicting non-response to PPI therapy. HRM has value in the evaluation of PPI non-responders.

Clinical Study on the Efficacy of Pantoprazole Combined with Mosapride on Gastroesophageal Reflux Chest Pain

To analyze the efficacy of pantoprazole combined with mosapride on gastroesophageal reflux chest pain. A total of 74 patients with gastroesophageal reflux chest pain treated in the Hospital of Shaanxi from June 2016 to June 2017 were enrolled in the study and divided into 2 groups, the combined group and the reference group (n=37) according to the order of admission. The combined group received treatment of pantoprazole and mosapride while the reference group was treated with pantoprazole. Curative effect, recurrence rate and gastroesophageal reflux disease symptom frequency scale were compared between the two groups. The total effective rate of the reference group was 83.78 %, significantly lower than that of the combined group (97.3 %, p>0.05). Besides, there were 2 cases of recurrence in the combined group, while there were 7 cases in the reference group and this difference is statistically significant (p<0.05). Meanwhile, after treatment the gastroesophageal reflux disease symptom scores of patients in the combined group were significantly better than those in the reference group. The combined treatment of pantoprazole and mosapride has significant curative effect on gastroesophageal reflux chest pain with relatively high effective rate, thus worthy of recommendation in clinical trials.

PATHOGENETIC ROLE OF NITROGEN MONOXIDE EFFICIENCY OF PHARMACOTHERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE AND STABLE ANGINA OF TENSION

Introduction: The search for new mechanisms of their interconnection and effective pharmacological correction of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) for comorbidity with stable angina of tension (SAT). The aim: To establish the role of nitrogen monoxide (NO) in the pathogenesis of GERD in patients with SAT and to study the effectiveness of the correction of the basic therapy of SAT in order to eliminate the clinical manifestations of GERD and prevent its development. Materials and methods: 88 patients with SAT with a comorbid GERD were examined. We determined clinical symptoms, the level of stable NO metabolites, calculated the number of nitroglycerin tablets taken one week. All patients (2 groups) received baseline therapy for GERD and SAT. In this case, the patients of the 2nd group (45 persons) received therapy with the exception of long-acting nitrates and, in addition, meldonium for 30 days. Results:With the exception of the use of nitro-containing drugs and adding to the basic therapy of SAT the drug meldonium we faster (p<0,05) achieved a regression of clinical symptoms of GERD and decrease in the level of metabolites NO molecule in patients with SAT. Conclusion: In the case of the exclusion of the intake of long-acting nitrates with the adding of meldonium to the basal therapy of the SAT and the GERD the content of metabolites of nitrogen monoxide in the blood is more normalized, which correlates with a decrease in the frequency of GERD symptoms in patients with SAT and GERD.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Frequency, Severity, Age of Onset, Family History and Acid Suppressive Therapy Predict Barrett Esophagus in a Large Population.

To identify risk factors associated with Barrett esophagus (BE) for potential improved surveillance and risk reduction. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a known risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma, but the ability of GERD symptom frequency and severity to predict presence of its putative precursor lesion, BE, is less well-defined in large, community-based populations. We conducted a case-control study within the Kaiser Permanente Northern California population. Cases had new diagnoses of BE. To identify risk factors in the general population, we contrasted cases with population controls; to identify risk factors only among patients with GERD, we contrasted cases with GERD patients who lacked BE. We interviewed 953 patients; 320 patients with BE, 316 patients with GERD who lacked BE and 317 population controls. Compared with population controls, BE risk was highest among patients with the most frequent and severe GERD symptoms [odds ratio (OR), 27.00; 95% confidence interval (CI), 14.52-50.21], nocturnal symptoms (OR, 5.40; 95% CI, 3.81-7.72), and family history of GERD (OR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.80-3.62) or BE (OR, 10.08; 95% CI, 2.83-35.84). Although at least weekly proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use was a risk factor for BE (OR, 9.85; 95% CI, 6.54-14.84), among PPI users in the general population, GERD symptoms were not strongly associated with the risk of BE. Compared with GERD controls, cases were more likely to have onset of GERD symptoms before 30 years of age (OR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.15-3.22) and a family history of BE (OR, 3.64; 95% CI, 1.50-8.83). Severe and frequent GERD symptoms are strongly associated with increased risk of BE in the general population, especially in the absence of frequent PPI use. Among people with GERD, family history of BE and early age of symptom onset were stronger predictors of BE. These findings may improve identification of patients at highest risk for BE.

Comparison of Hypoallergenic Diet vs. Ranitidine in Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease of Infants: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is defined as “troublesome symptoms or complications of GER”, and is a multifactorial disorder. This study aimed to compare the treatment outcomes of hypoallergenic diet vs. ranitidine on symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in infants. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 50 patients aged less than 1 year, who were suspected to have GERD on the basis of I-GERQ-R, were enrolled. They were randomly allocated to two groups of equal number, one group received ranitidine and the other hypoallergenic diet for 2 weeks. The frequency of GERD symptoms, including irritability, vomiting, anorexia, respiratory symptoms and arching, were compared between the two groups before and after the trial. Results: After a two-week trial, the frequency of vomiting and respiratory symptoms decreased significantly in both groups (P < 0.05). The frequency of vomiting decreased in 19 (76%) and 19 (76%) of infants in ranitidine and hypoallergenic diet groups, respectively (P = 0.05 between groups). Moreover, the respiratory symptoms improved significantly in both groups (P < 0.05). The frequency of irritability did not decrease significantly in any of the groups (P = 0.18). Conclusions: The current findings suggest that the hypoallergenic diet might have significant effect on GERD symptoms; these effects are comparable with those of ranitidine. Considering the possibility of cow’s milk protein allergy in this group of patients, we recommend that the treatment of GERD in pediatric population be initiated with hypoallergenic diet and in case of not achieving significant effect, pharmacological treatment be added and applied as a combination therapy.

Prospective Study of Gastroesophageal Reflux, Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors and H2-Receptor Antagonists, and Risk of Hearing Loss.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common and often treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or H2-receptor antagonists (H2-RAs). GERD has been associated with exposure of the middle ear to gastric contents, which could cause hearing loss. Treatment of GERD with PPIs and H2-RAs may decrease exposure of the middle ear to gastric acid and decrease the risk of hearing loss. We prospectively investigated the relation between GERD, use of PPIs and H2-RAs, and the risk of hearing loss in 54,883 women in Nurses' Health Study II. Eligible participants, aged 41 to 58 years in 2005, provided information on medication use and GERD symptoms in 2005, answered the question on hearing loss in 2009 or in 2013, and did not report hearing loss starting before the date of onset of GERD symptoms or medication use. The primary outcome was self-reported hearing loss. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to adjust for potential confounders. During 361,872 person-years of follow-up, 9842 new cases of hearing loss were reported. Compared with no GERD symptoms, higher frequency of GERD symptoms was associated with higher risk of hearing loss (multivariable adjusted relative risks: <1 time/month 1.04 [0.97, 1.11], several times/week 1.17 [1.09, 1.25], daily 1.33 [1.19, 1.49]; p value for trend <0.001). After accounting for GERD symptoms, neither PPI nor H2-RA use was associated with the risk of hearing loss. GERD symptoms are associated with higher risk of hearing loss in women, but use of PPIs and H2-RAs are not independently associated with the risk.

Risk Profiles for Barrett’s Esophagus Differ between New and Prevalent, and Long- and Short-Segment Cases

BackgroundPrevious studies on Barrett’s esophagus (BE) risk factors have had differing case definitions and control groups. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in risk factors between newly diagnosed vs. prevalent BE, long- vs. short-segment BE, and endoscopy-only BE without specialized intestinal metaplasia (SIM).MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study among eligible patients scheduled for elective esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and patients eligible for screening colonoscopy, recruited from primary care clinics at a Veterans Affairs center. All participants completed a survey on demographics, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and medication use prior to undergoing study EGD. We compared BE cases separately to two control groups: 503 primary care controls and 1353 endoscopy controls. Associations between risk factors and differing BE case definitions were evaluated with multivariate logistic regression models.ResultsFor comparisons with primary care controls, early onset frequent GERD symptoms were more strongly associated with risk of long-segment BE (OR 19.9; 95% CI 7.96–49.7) than short-segment BE (OR 8.54; 95% CI 3.85–18.9). Likewise, the inverse association with H. pylori infection was stronger for long-segment BE (OR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.26–0.79) than short-segment BE (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.48–1.05). GERD symptoms and H. pylori infection was also more strongly associated with prevalent BE than newly diagnosed BE. Few differences were observed between BE cases and endoscopy controls. Endoscopy-only BE was associated with GERD symptoms (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.32–3.85) and PPI/H2RA use (OR 4.44; 95% CI 2.61–7.54) but to a smaller degree than BE with SIM.ConclusionWe found differences in the strength and profiles of risk factors for BE. The findings support that epidemiological studies of BE should make a distinction between long and short, new and prevalent, endoscopy-only and BE with SIM as well as type of controls.

Assessment of Clinical Symptoms and Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance and pH Monitoring in Children After Thoracoscopic Repair of Esophageal Atresia and Distal Tracheoesophageal Fistula.

Motility disturbances of the esophagus and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are observed frequently in children after repair of congenital esophageal atresia with distal tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF). Recently, in many pediatric surgical centers, thoracoscopic repair was introduced, which theoretically would change the postoperative course. The goal of the study was to assess physical development, disease symptoms, and GERD symptom frequency in children who underwent thoracoscopic surgery of congenital EA/TEF. The study comprised 22 children (14 boys and 8 girls), aged 16 to 79 months (average age 47.3 months) after surgery of EA/TEF. Clinical symptoms and physical development were analyzed. In 19 children, multichannel intraluminal esophageal impedance connected with pH-metry (MII/pH) was performed. In 11 patients, esophagogastroduodenoscopy with a histological study of mucosa samples was done. The most frequent symptoms were dysphagia, belching, cough and recurrent bronchitis. In 31.5% of the children, body mass deficiency was observed and in 28.6%, low body mass and short stature. Prematurity was present in half of the patients. Depending on the result of the MII/pH study, the children were divided into two groups: 10 children with GERD and 9 children without diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux. In the 10 with GERD, acid reflux was diagnosed in 9 and non-acid reflux was diagnosed in one. MII/pH demonstrated statistically significant differences in the number of reflux episodes, reflux index, bolus exposure index, mean time of esophageal exposure and acid exposure and mean acid clearance time in children with GERD in comparison to children without this disease. In 36.4% of children who underwent endoscopy, esophagitis was diagnosed, esophageal stricture in 18% and gastric metaplasia in 9.1%. In children who underwent corrective thoracoscopic surgery of EA/TEF, GERD caused by motility disorders of the esophagus was frequently observed. These children require constant monitoring and early treatment of the complication.

Issue Highlights

Issue Highlights

Ghrelin and Leptin Have a Complex Relationship with Risk of Barrett's Esophagus.

Abdominal obesity is a risk factor for Barrett's esophagus independent of GERD symptoms, but little is understood about the biological mechanisms between obesity and the carcinogenic pathway of esophageal adenocarcinoma. To evaluate whether ghrelin and leptin may partially explain the association between obesity and Barrett's esophagus. We conducted a case-control study using patients with a new diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus (cases) and two control groups frequency matched to cases for age, gender, and geographic region: (1) patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and (2) a sample of the general population. We generated odds ratios using logistic regressions to evaluate quartiles of serum ghrelin or serum leptin, adjusting for known risk factors for Barrett's esophagus. We evaluated potential interaction variables using cross products and ran stratified analyses to generate stratum-specific odds ratios. A total of 886 participants were included in the analysis. Higher ghrelin concentrations were associated with an increased risk of Barrett's esophagus, when compared to the population controls, but not the GERD controls. Ghrelin concentrations were not associated with the frequency of GERD symptoms, but ghrelin's relationship with Barrett's esophagus varied significantly with the frequency of GERD symptoms. Leptin concentrations were positively associated with at least weekly GERD symptoms among the population controls and were inversely associated with Barrett's esophagus only among the GERD controls. Adjusting for waist circumference did not change the main associations. Higher levels of ghrelin were associated with an increased risk of Barrett's esophagus among the general population. In contrast, leptin was positively associated with frequent GERD symptoms, but inversely associated with the risk of Barrett's esophagus among the GERD controls.

Adiponectin May Modify the Risk of Barrett’s Esophagus in Patients With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Abdominal obesity and increasing body mass index are risk factors for esophageal adenocarcinoma and its main precursor, Barrett's esophagus; however, there are no known biological mechanisms for these associations or regarding why only some patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease develop Barrett's esophagus. We evaluated the association between Barrett's esophagus and multimers of an adipose-associated hormone, adiponectin. We conducted a case-control study evaluating the associations between adiponectin (total, high-molecular-weight, and low-/medium-molecular-weight) and Barrett's esophagus within the Kaiser Permanente Northern California population. Patients with a new diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus (cases) were matched to patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) without Barrett's esophagus and to population controls. Complete serologic and epidemiologic data were available for 284 cases, 294 GERD controls, and 285 population controls. Increasing adiponectin levels were a risk factor for Barrett's esophagus among patients with GERD (total adiponectin fourth vs first quartile odds ratio [OR], 1.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17-3.27; high-molecular-weight adiponectin OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.00-2.73; low-/medium-molecular-weight adiponectin OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.33-3.56), but not compared with population controls. The associations were significantly stronger among patients reporting frequent GERD symptoms and among smokers (P values interaction < .01). Adiponectin levels are associated positively with the risk of Barrett's esophagus among patients with GERD and among smokers, but not among population controls without GERD symptoms. Higher adiponectin concentrations either independently may contribute to the aberrant healing of esophageal injury into Barrett's esophagus or be a marker for other factors.

Frequency distribution of gastro esophageal reflux disease in inhalation injury: A historical cohort study

Background:There is no data on the prevalence and the association of gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) with toxic fume inhalation. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the frequency distribution of GERD symptoms among the individuals with mild respiratory disorder due to the past history of toxic fume exposure to sulfur mustard (SM).Materials and Methods:In a historical cohort study, subjects were randomly selected from 7000 patients in a database of all those who had a history of previous exposure to a single high dose of SM gas during war. The control group was randomly selected from adjacent neighbors of the patients, and two healthy male subjects were chosen per patient. In this study, we used the validated Persian translation of Mayo Gastroesophageal Reflux Questionnaire to assess the frequency distribution of reflux disease.Results:Relative frequency of GERD symptoms, was found to be significantly higher in the inhalation injury patients with an odds ratio of 8.30 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.73-14.55), and after adjustment for cigarette smoking, tea consumption, age, and body mass index, aspirin and chronic cough the odds ratio was found to be 4.41 (95% CI: 1.61-12.07).Conclusion:The most important finding of our study was the major GERD symptoms (heartburn and/or acid regurgitation once or more per week) among the individuals with the past history of exposure to SM toxic gas is substantially higher (4.4-fold) than normal populations.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Increases Risk for Gastroesophageal Reflux Symptoms

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now recognized as a leading cause of liver dysfunction. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disorder causing symptoms that often impair patients' quality of life. In recent years, the prevalence of both these diseases has increased, partially overlapping the rise of metabolic disorders. We investigated whether a relation does exist between NAFLD and GERD symptoms. Cross-sectional study among 206 outpatients diagnosed with NAFLD and 183 controls. We collected clinical and laboratory data, assessed severity and frequency of GERD symptoms and the esophageal endoscopic pattern. The prevalence of GERD symptoms was higher in NAFLD patients than controls (61.2 vs. 27.9%, p < 0.001). We found a positive association between NAFLD and the experiencing of heartburn, regurgitation and belching. GERD symptoms were related to body mass index (BMI) and metabolic syndrome (MetS); a strong association persisted after adjustment for all the covariates (adjusted OR 3.49, 95 CI% 2.24-5.44, p < 0.001). Our data show that the prevalence of GERD typical symptoms is higher in patients with NAFLD. GERD was associated with higher BMI and MetS, but not with age and diabetes type 2. NAFLD remained strongly associated with GERD, independently of a coexisting MetS status. Consistent with these findings, MetS can be considered a shared background, but cannot completely explain this correlation. We suggest NAFLD as an independent risk factor for GERD symptoms.

Characteristics of Symptom Presentation and Risk Factors in Patients with Erosive Esophagitis and Nonerosive Reflux Disease

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of gender on symptom presentation and quality of life of patients with erosive esophagitis (EE) and nonerosive reflux disorder (NERD). Subjects and Methods: Medical records from patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) between January and December 2009 were reviewed. The patients were assigned to either the EE or the NERD group. The general demographic data, the modified Chinese GERDQ scores and the Short Form (SF)-36 life quality questionnaire scores of the two groups of patients were compared. Results: Of the 261 patients, 87 (33.3%), 86 (33.0%) and 88 (33.7%) patients were classified into the EE, the NERD and the control groups, respectively. The patients in the EE group were significantly older (48.94 ± 17.38 vs. 43.34 ± 12.67 years), were predominately male (58.6 vs. 39.5%), had more frequently hiatal hernia (34.5 vs 17.4%), had a higher body weight (67.57 ± 15.13 vs. 61.06 ± 11.08 kg) and a higher body mass index (24.09 ± 4.61 vs. 22.68 ± 3.12) than those in the NERD group. The GERD-specific symptom scores and the general life quality scores of the EE and the NERD groups were similar, and both groups had lower life quality scores than the control group did. The female patients with NERD had a higher frequency of GERD symptoms and lower quality of life scores. Gender had no effect on symptom scores or life quality scores in the EE group. Conclusion: The GERD-specific symptom severity and general quality of life scores of the EE and the NERD patients were similar. Gender had a great influence on symptom presentation and quality of life in patients with NERD, but not in those with EE.

The effect of the speed of eating on acid reflux and symptoms of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease

There is a general belief that gastroesophageal reflux attacks appear more frequently after quick meal, which is without powerful scientific basis, and the general advise to patients is to eat slowly. We aimed to determine whether the speed of eating has an impact on reflux attacks and symptoms in gastroesophageal reflux disease patients. 24-h intraesophageal pH monitoring was performed to 60 patients with frequent gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms (39 women) in a tertiary referral center. One hour after placing the pH probe, the patients were asked to have the same meal (744 kcal: 37,6% of carbohydrate, 21,2% of protein, and 41,2% of fat) within 5 or 30 minutes in random order for two consecutive days without extubating. The number of reflux episodes, acid exposure time, and the symptoms of 3-h postprandial period were analyzed. Thirty-eight patients had normal and 22 patients had pathologic pH monitoring for a total of 28 hours of measurement period. The number of reflux episodes increased in the 2 nd hour. The fast eating group had less reflux attacks and lower total reflux time in the 1 st hour and an insignificant increase in the 2 nd and 3 rd hours. The number of symptoms was higher following slow eating (113 vs. 100) without reaching significance. Speed of food intake has no significant impact on acidic reflux attacks in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. The classical advice "eat slowly" may not have any scientific basis. However, a similar study on patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease should be performed by combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH to evaluate the place of nonacid or weak acid reflux.

Age at Onset of GERD Symptoms Predicts Risk of Barrett's Esophagus

Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are the primary risk factor for Barrett's esophagus (BE). However, the significance of age at symptom onset is unknown. We examined the effects of multiple dimensions of GERD exposure on BE risk and whether these associations are modified by other risk factors for BE. Data were from a cross-sectional study of 683 Veterans Affairs patients undergoing an elective esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) or a study EGD concurrently with colonoscopy from primary care clinics. We compared 236 patients with both endoscopically suspected and histologically confirmed BE to 447 primary-care patients ("primary-care controls") without endoscopically suspected BE on their study EGD. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using multivariate logistic regression. Age at onset <30 years of frequent (at least weekly) GERD symptoms was associated with highest risk of BE (OR=15.1, 95% CI 7.91-28.8), and risk increased linearly with earlier age at onset of symptoms (P-trend=0.001). This association was independent of cumulative GERD symptom duration. People with early onset GERD symptoms who reported ever using proton pump inhibitors were at especially high risk of BE (OR=31.1, 95% CI 13.9-69.7). In people with frequent GERD symptoms, BE risk was almost 80% lower among Helicobacter pylori-positive patients (OR=2.60, 95% CI 1.26-5.40) than those negative for H. pylori (OR=8.24, 95% CI 5.00-13.6). Risk of BE increased linearly with earlier age at onset of frequent GERD symptoms. Age at symptom onset may help practitioners decide which patients with GERD symptoms to refer for endoscopic screening for BE.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Associates More with Cough Than Hoarseness in Subjects Aged Over 65 Years

Purpose: Both cough and hoarseness are often reported as symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). All three tend to increase with advancing age, but whether one associates more with GERD is unknown. Methods: 300 consecutive patients over the age of 65 (mean 72 years, range 65-88, 46% female) who were referred for screening or surveillance colonoscopy but who had never undergone upper endoscopy and were not on antisecretory therapy underwent a series of questionnaires followed by a research upper endoscopy just prior colonoscopy. Patients were considered to have GERD if they had Barrett's esophagus (BE), erosive esophagitis (EE) or sufficient symptoms (heartburn or regurgitation occurring more than 2 times weekly or having been present for more than 5 years). An additional questionnaire (GSAS-distress) assessed the frequency and degree of cough and hoarsenessinduced distress (not at all, somewhat, quite a bit or very much). Results: 82 of 300 (27%) subjects reported cough and 51 (17%) reported hoarseness (30 had both cough and hoarseness). Most were at least somewhat distressed by their symptom(s). BE or intestinal metaplasia of the cardia was present in 57 (19%), EE without BE in 43 (14%) and significant reflux symptoms without BE or EE in 57 (19%) patients. Thus, the majority had mucosal disease or symptoms consistent with GERD (157/300; 52%). Although cough was more common in GERD (GERD positive 31.2%, GERD negative 23.1%, p = 0.006), there was no difference in hoarseness between those with and without GERD (17.8 vs 16.1%). The percentage reporting cough increased with the frequency of GERD symptoms (p<0.0001), while there was no clear relationship between hoarseness and the frequency of GERD (Figure).Figure: No Caption available.Conclusion: GERD, cough and to a lesser extent hoarseness are common in subjects aged over 65 years. The frequency of GERD symptoms is predictive of the proportion of patients reporting cough, but not hoarseness. While care should be taken in attributing any atypical symptom to GERD, these data would suggest that this is especially true with hoarseness. This research was supported by an industry grant from AstraZeneca.

Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Incidence in Individuals With Gastroesophageal Reflux: Synthesis and Estimates From Population Studies

Recent advances in the management of Barrett's esophagus may kindle enthusiasm for screening for esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are recognized as relative risks for EAC. However, the absolute incidence of EAC in specific populations with GERD is unknown. We aimed to estimate the symptom-, age-, and sex-specific incidences of EAC, and place these incidences in the perspective of other cancers for which screening is endorsed. A Markov computer model utilizing published and publicly available data was created to estimate the age- and sex-specific incidences of EAC in American white non-Hispanics with GERD symptoms. The incidence of EAC in men younger than 50 years with GERD symptoms is very low (for instance, at the age of 35 years, incidence=1.0/100,000), and their incidence of colorectal cancer is relatively much higher (for instance, at the age of 35 years, incidence of colorectal cancer is 6.7-fold greater). The incidence of EAC in older men with weekly GERD symptoms is substantial (for instance, at the age of 70 years, incidence=60.8/100,000 person-years), but their incidence of colorectal cancer is at least threefold greater. The incidence of EAC in women with GERD is extremely low, and similar to that of breast cancer in men (for instance, 3.9/100,000 person-years at the age of 60 years). Screening for EAC should not be performed in men younger than 50 years or in women because of very low incidences of cancer, regardless of the frequency of GERD symptoms. In white men with weekly GERD over the age of 60 years, the incidence of EAC is substantial, and might warrant screening if that practice is particularly accurate, safe, effective, and inexpensive.