Typical Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptoms Research Articles

Magnetic sphincter augmentation is an effective treatment for atypical symptoms caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) could effectively treat patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) who suffer primarily from atypical symptoms due to laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). MSA has been shown to treat typical symptoms of GERD with good success, but its effect on atypical symptoms is unknown. A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained institutional review board-approved database was conducted for all patients who underwent MSA between January 2015 and December 2018. All patients had objective confirmation of GERD from ambulatory pH monitoring off anti-reflux medications (DeMeester score > 14.7). Symptoms were assessed preoperatively and at 1 year postoperatively using GERD Health-Related Quality of Life (GERD-HRQL) and Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) questionnaires. There were 86 patients (38 males; 48 females) with a median age of 51.5years. Total GERD HRQL scores improved from a mean of 38.79 to 6.53 (p < 0.01) and RSI scores improved from a mean of 20.9 to 8.1 (p < 0.01). Atypical symptoms evaluated from the RSI questionnaire include hoarseness, throat clearing, postnasal drip, breathing difficulties, and cough. All atypical symptoms were significantly improved at 1year following MSA (p < 0.01). All three typical symptoms of heartburn, dysphagia, and regurgitation were significantly improved based on pre and postoperative GERD HRQL questionnaires (p < 0.02). Ninety-one percent of patients were off their PPI and dissatisfaction with their current therapy decreased from 95% preoperatively to 13% postoperatively. MSA is an effective treatment for typical and atypical GERD symptoms.

P173 HIGH-RESOLUTION MANOMETRIC FINDINGS AFTER MAGNETIC SPHINCTER AUGMENTATION

Abstract Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate esophageal motility before and after Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation (MSA) for medically refractory Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Background and Methods MSA (LINX® Reflux Management System) is intended for patients with chronic GERD with incomplete symptom relief from proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) and abnormal acid exposure. A prospectively collected database of patients who underwent MSA between 2007 and 2019 was queried. All patients who completed pre- and post-operative high-resolution manometry (HRM) were included in the study. Additional investigations included Health-Related Quality of Life (GERD-HRQL) questionnaire, Functional Outcome Swallowing Scale (FOSS), upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, barium swallow, and 24-96 hours pH-study. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed rank test and McNemar test. Results Forty-five patients met the inclusion criteria. The median follow-up was 10 months (IQR 6). Compared to baseline, there was a statistically significant reduction in PPI use (p=0.000), rate of heartburn (p=0.000), regurgitation (p=0.008), and extra-esophageal symptoms (p=0.000). Only three (6.7%) patients required dietary changes. The GERD-HRQL score significantly improved (p=0.000). There was a significant increase in the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) competency, including LES length (p=0.004) and Esophago-gastric Contractile Integral ((EGJ-CI) (p=0.000). A significant increase in integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) (p=0.000), mean Distal Contractile Integral (DCI) (p=0.008) and intrabolus pressure (p=0.000) was also found. Thirteen (28.9%) patients presented pre-operative Ineffective Esophageal Motility (IEM) and five of them resolved postoperatively. Two patients (4.4%) developed IEM after surgery: both had IRP and DCI values within normal limits, and one of them complained of dysphagia. However, the GERD-HRQL score recovered in both patients. Conclusion MSA was clinically effective in relieving both typical and atypical GERD symptoms. LES competency increased after MSA. EGJ outflow obstruction was uncommon and not associated with symptoms. Finally, ineffective esophageal motility may reverse to normal after MSA.

Persistent Postprandial Regurgitation vs Rumination in Patients With Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptoms: Identification of a Distinct Rumination Pattern Using Ambulatory Impedance-pH Monitoring.

Up to 20% of patients with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) might have postprandial rumination. The aim of this study was to distinguish persistent GERD-related postprandial regurgitation from rumination in patients with refractory GERD undergoing ambulatory multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (MII-pH) monitoring. We first characterized 24-hour and postprandial MII-pH patterns in 28 consecutive patients with confirmed rumination syndrome (positive clinical and high-resolution manometry/impedance). We compared such MII-pH patterns with those from 30 patients with typical GERD symptoms (10 nonerosive reflux disease, 10 hyperactive esophagus, and 10 functional heartburn) and 27 healthy controls. Using ROC curves, we selected the best MII-pH parameters to prepare an MII-pH rumination score. We prospectively tested the performance of the new MII-pH rumination score in 26 consecutive patients with refractory GERD (predominant regurgitation). Compared with GERD controls, patients with rumination were more often females, younger, and had significantly more postprandial early nonacid reflux episodes with high proximal extent. Postprandial reflux in ruminators had a distinct nadir pH profile over time (from nonacid to acid). Despite increased reflux events, baseline impedance in ruminators was similar to that in healthy subjects. Ruminators marked postprandial symptoms earlier and much more often than patients with GERD. An MII-pH-based rumination score (using postprandial nonacid reflux/hour and Symptom Index) diagnosed rumination in 46% of patients with refractory GERD and persistent regurgitation (sensitivity 91.7% and specificity 78.6%). Postprandial rumination is very common in refractory GERD with persistent regurgitation. A simple MII-pH score detects rumination in these patients with high sensitivity and specificity.

The diagnostic value of GerdQ in subjects with atypical symptoms of gastro-esophageal reflux disease

Background: Symptoms are essential in the clinical diagnosis of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). Questionnaires such as GerdQ have been developed as diagnostic aids. GerdQ has been thoroughly validated in well-characterized GERD patients, but has not yet been fully evaluated in a population that includes subjects with atypical symptoms.Aim: To evaluate GerdQ in a population with typical and/or atypical symptoms of GERD, defined by 24-h pH monitoring. The secondary aim was to investigate the outcome of GerdQ depending on the response to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment.Methods: The study included 646 subjects referred for 24-h pH monitoring due to a clinical suspicion of GERD. All subjects completed GerdQ before performing a 24-h pH monitoring.Results: In total, 377 (58%) subjects were diagnosed with GERD based on symptoms and 24-h pH monitoring (GERDpH). Of these, 46% had atypical main symptoms. Overall, GerdQ (at cut-off 8) predicted GERDpH with a sensitivity and specificity of 62% and 74%, respectively. A high specificity but poor sensitivity for diagnosis of GERDpH was found for atypical main symptoms such as cough, dysphagia and globus. GerdQ had a relatively high sensitivity and specificity in predicting PPI response and a PPV of 99% at cut-off 8.Conclusions: GerdQ has a diagnostic value in an unselected population presenting with typical and/or atypical symptoms of GERD, but a low sensitivity for diagnosis of GERDpH was found in subjects with predominant symptoms such as cough, dysphagia and globus.

Surgical outcomes and over one-year follow-up results of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease: Single-center experiences

Laparoscopic antireflux surgery is a standard surgical treatment method for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in Western countries. However, the procedure has not been actively carried out in Korea because of concerns regarding surgical complications. Here, we conducted this study to evaluate short-term surgical outcomes of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) performed at a single institution. From January 2010 to August 2016, totally 29 patients underwent LNF for GERD performed by three surgeons at Asan Medical Center, Korea. All patients participated in a telephonic survey including the presence of symptoms and the status of quality of life (QOL). The median age at operation and BMI were 54 years and 23.8kg/m2, respectively. Preoperatively, 27 patients (93.1%) underwent PPI therapy. All patients had typical or atypical GERD symptoms. One patient (3.4%) required reoperation because of total gastroesophageal junction obstruction. 24 patients (82.8%) reported complete or partial resolution of symptoms, whereas 21 (72.4%) reported partial or complete improvement in quality of life. In patients with reflux esophagitis, GERD symptoms were significantly relieved after LNF (P=0.005). LNF responders tended to perceive an improvement in quality of life post operation (P<0.001). LNF is a feasible, safe, and effective treatment option for controlling GERD symptoms as well as improving the quality of life. Presence of reflux esophagitis was a predictor of successful outcomes.

Role of Esophageal Motility, Acid Reflux, and of Acid Suppression in Nonobstructive Dysphagia.

The present study was aimed at evaluating, in dysphagic patients, the role of high-resolution manometry (HRM) findings, presence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy on dysphagia perception. A relevant proportion of patients with nonobstructive dysphagia present normal esophageal HRM findings. Patients with GERD often complain of dysphagia and factors, such as hypersensitivity, might be involved in its occurrence. In total, 37 nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) patients with only dysphagia (group 1) and 52 patients with both dysphagia and typical GERD symptoms (group 2) were evaluated with symptom scores, HRM combined with impedance and 24 hours impedance-pH monitoring. In total, 44 NERD patients, not presenting dysphagia, underwent the same protocol. A total of 22/37 group 1 patients [11 with pathologic acid exposure time (AET)] were treated with esomeprazole 40 mg oid for 4 weeks and were reassessed during the last week of therapy. A total of 15/37 group 1 patients (40%), 27/52 group 2 patients (52%), and 19/44 (43%) NERD patients presented pathologic AET [P=not significant (NS)]. Group 1 patients with a pathologic AET showed a significantly lower mean distal contractile integral (DCI) and a significant correlation (ρ=-0.71) between individual DCI and total bolus transit time values. During PPI therapy, in group 1 patients with pathologic AET, the mean dysphagia score value decreased significantly [7.5 (range, 3 to 9) before, 4 (range, 2 to 6) during PPI; P<0.01)] and mean DCI value increased significantly. In total, 40% of dysphagic patients show a pathologic AET and reduced peristaltic vigor. In these patients, an adequate PPI therapy significantly decreases dysphagia frequency and severity and improves the esophageal peristaltic force.

A modified Nissen fundoplication: subjective and objective midterm results.

The failure rate of laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery is approximately 10-20%. The aim of our prospective study was to investigate whether a modified Nissen fundoplication (MNF) can improve reflux symptoms and prevent surgical treatment failure in the midterm. The MNF consisted of (1) suturing the esophagus to the diaphragmatic crura on each side using four non-absorbable stitches, (2) reinforcing clearly weak crura with a tailored Ultrapro mesh, and (3) fixing the upper stitch of the valve to the diaphragm. Forty-eight consecutive patients experiencing typical gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms at least three times per week for 6months or longer were assessed before and after surgery using validated symptom and quality of life (GERD-HRQL) questionnaires, high-resolution manometry, 24-h impedance-pH monitoring, endoscopy, and barium swallow. Mortality and perioperative complications were nil. At median follow-up of 46.7months, the patients experienced significant improvements in symptom and GERD-HRQL scores. One patient presented with severe dyspepsia and another complained of dysphagia requiring a repeat surgery 12months after the first operation. Esophageal acid exposure (8.8 vs 0.1; p < 0.0001), reflux number (62 vs 8.5; p < 0.0001), and symptom-reflux association (19 vs 0; p < 0.0001) significantly decreased postoperatively. The median esophagogastric junction contractile integral (EGJ-CI) from 31 cases (8.2 vs 21.2mmHgcm; p = 0.0003) and the abdominal length of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) (0 vs 16mm; p = 0.01) increased postoperatively. Our data demonstrate that the MNF is a safe and effective procedure both in the short term and midterm.

Systematic review: methodological flaws in racial/ethnic reporting for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Health care disparities affecting the care of multiple disease groups are of growing concern internationally. Research guidelines, governmental institutions, and scientific journals have attempted to minimize disparities through policies regarding the collection and reporting of racial/ethnic data. One area where shortcomings remain is in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This systematic review, which adheres to the PRISMA statement, focuses on characterizing existing methodological weaknesses in research focusing on studies regarding the assessment, prevalence, treatment, and outcomes of GERD patients. Search terms included GERD and typical symptoms of GERD in ethnic groups or minorities. We reviewed 62 articles. The majority of studies did not report the race/ethnicity of all participants, and among those who did, very few followed accepted guidelines. While there were diverse participants, there was also diversity in the manner in which groups were labeled, making comparisons difficult. There appeared to be a disparity with respect to countries reporting race/ethnicity, with certain countries more likely to report this variable. Samples overwhelmingly consisted of the study country's majority population. The majority of studies justified the use of race/ethnicity as a study variable and investigated conceptually related factors such as socioeconomic status and environment. Yet, many studies wrote as if race/ethnicity reflected biological differences. Despite recommendations, it appears that GERD researchers around the world struggle with the appropriate and standard way to include, collect, report, and discuss race/ethnicity. Recommendations on ways to address these issues are included with the goal of preventing and identifying health care disparities.

Refractory Heartburn: A Challenging Problem in Clinical Practice.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition which develops when the reflux of stomach contents causes troublesome symptoms and/or complications. Heartburn and regurgitation are the typical symptoms of GERD. The treatment of GERD encompasses lifestyle modifications, pharmacological, endoscopic, and surgical therapy. The majority of the patients respond to 4-8weeks of proton-pump inhibitors therapy, but 20-42% will demonstrate partial or complete lack of response to treatment. While these patients have been considered as having refractory heartburn, a subset of them does not have GERD or have not been adequately treated.The main causes of refractory heartburn include: poor compliance; inadequate proton-pump inhibitors dosage; incorrect diagnosis; comorbidities; genotypic differences; residual gastroesophageal reflux; eosinophilic esophagitis and others. Treatment is commonly directed toward the underlying cause of patients' refractory heartburn.

What is the place of empirical proton pump inhibitor testing in the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease? (Description, duration, and dosage).

Empirical acid suppression tests that are performed with proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are used to detect both the presence of acid-related gastrointestinal symptoms and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In comparison to other diagnostic methods, it is non-invasive, easily applicable, and cost-effective in the diagnosis of GERD. In addition to typical reflux symptoms, it can also be used for diagnostic purposes in patients with non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP). If the symptom response is 50% and above when obtained using the PPI test in patients with NCCP, it can be considered as positive and the treatment should be continued sensitivity of the PPI test in patients with typical symptoms of GERD is 27%-89%, while its specificity is 35%-83%. Although there are differences related to the duration and dosage of the PPI test, a significant difference has not been found according to the type of PPI. When PPI test sensitivity and specificity were calculated by cumulatively evaluating the data regarding the PPI test in the literature, a sensitivity of 82.3% and specificity of 51.5% was obtained. It has been found that high doses of PPI were mostly used in studies, and the duration of the median test was 14 days. As a result, the sensitivity of PPI trial test is good, but the specificity is low in the diagnosis of GERD in patients with typical reflux symptoms.

Foods Inducing Typical Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptoms in Korea.

Background/AimsSeveral specific foods are known to precipitate gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and GERD patients are usually advised to avoid such foods. However, foods consumed daily are quite variable according to regions, cultures, etc. This study was done to elucidate the food items which induce typical GERD symptoms in Korean patients.MethodsOne hundred and twenty-six Korean patients with weekly typical GERD symptoms were asked to mark all food items that induced typical GERD symptoms from a list containing 152 typical foods consumed daily in Korea. All patients underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy followed by 24-hour ambulatory esophageal pH monitoring. The definition of “GERD” was if either of the 2 studies revealed evidence of GERD, and “possible GERD” if both studies were negative.ResultsOne hundred and twenty-six cases (51 GERD and 75 possible GERD) were enrolled. In 19 (37.3%) of 51 GERD cases and in 17 (22.7%) of 75 possible GERD cases, foods inducing typical GERD symptoms were identified. In the GERD group (n = 19), frequent symptom-inducers were hot spicy stews, rice cakes, ramen noodles, fried foods, and topokki. In the possible GERD group (n = 17), frequent symptom-inducers were hot spicy stews, fried foods, doughnuts, breads, ramen noodles, coffee, pizza, topokki, rice cakes, champon noodles, and hotdogs.ConclusionsIn one-third of GERD patients, foods inducing typical symptoms were identified. Hot spicy stews, rice cakes, ramen noodles, fried foods, and topokki were the foods frequently inducing typical symptoms in Korea. The list of foods frequently inducing typical GERD symptoms needs to be modified based on their own local experiences.

Upper esophageal sphincter abnormalities and high-resolution esophageal manometry findings in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux

Background: The association between laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and abnormalities of upper esophageal sphincter (UES) and esophageal motility is not clearly known. High-resolution esophageal manometry (HREM) has allowed accurate measurement and evaluation of UES and esophageal function.Goals: To evaluate the UES function and esophageal motility using HREM in patients with LPR and compare them to patients with typical gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).Study: All patients evaluated for GERD or LPR symptoms with esophageal function testing including HREM, ambulatory distal pH monitoring and upper endoscopy between 2006 and 2014 were retrospectively studied (n = 220). The study group (group A, n = 57) consisted of patients diagnosed with LPR after comprehensive evaluation. They were compared to patients who had typical GERD symptoms only (group B, n = 98) and patients with both GERD and LPR symptoms (group C, n = 65).Results: Abnormalities in UES pressures and relaxation were found in about one-third of patients in all groups. There were no significant differences between the groups. Group B had higher prevalence of abnormal esophageal motility compared to others (group A vs. B vs. C = 20.8% vs. 28% vs. 12.5%, p = .029). Group B patients also had higher prevalence of Barrett’s esophagus compared to others (group A vs. B vs. C = 0% vs.12.2% vs. 4.6%, p = .01). Distal pH testing revealed no significant differences between the three groups.Conclusions: Abnormal UES function was noted in one-third of patients with LPR or GERD. However, there were no abnormalities on esophageal function testing specific for LPR.

Extra-esophageal presentation of gastroesophageal reflux disease: new understanding in a new era.

Associations of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with extraesophageal manifestations, such as chronic cough, asthma, and laryngitis, are reported frequently, and there is a strong evidence of biological plausibility in support of this relationship. On the other hand, extraesophageal reflux disease (EERD) is usually multifactorial in nature with reflux being just one of the several potential contributing cofactors. Moreover, the accuracy of currently available diagnostic tests for EERD is suboptimal, and therefore the causal relationship between GERD and EERD remains far from being conclusively proven. In addition, there is a general paucity of data supporting a beneficial effect of anti-reflux treatments on symptoms of patients with suspected EERD. Therefore, diagnostic as well as therapeutic management of EERD remains largely empirical. Current guidelines suggest an initial empiric trial of proton pump inhibitors in patients without alarm features, who present also typical GERD symptoms. For those patients who improve with PPIs, GERD is presumed to be the etiology. In patients with refractory reflux, combined impedance/pH monitoring might provide the single best strategy for evaluating reflux symptoms. In this context, as symptoms ascribable to GERD may depend on other causes, investigations that excludes GERD can help to redirect the diagnostic and treatment efforts to other pathological conditions. The present review intends to discuss the current state of knowledge regarding the challenging diagnostic and therapeutic management of patients with suspected EERD, emphasizing the points of strengths and limitations of currently available diagnostic options, and to provide an update on major diagnostic innovations in this area.

Does Nissen Fundoplication Provide Lifelong Reflux Control? Symptomatic Outcome After 31–33 Years

A substantial number of people are suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The indication for surgical treatment is the failure of medical treatment in patients with objectively verified GERD. The use of PPIs has been noted to increase with the length of follow-up after fundoplication, raising questions concerning the durability of surgical results. The aim of the study was to investigate the results of open Nissen fundoplication (ONF) over a follow-up of more than 31years. ONF was performed for 38 consecutive patients. Questionnaires concerning long-term outcome were sent on December 14, 2015, to the 24 patients still living. Long-term symptom evaluation was carried out using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), Visick grading, a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the DeMeester-Johnson reflux scale, and the 15D tool. Seventeen (70.8%) of the 24 patients still living participated in the study. The typical symptoms of GERD had resolved significantly. Dysphagia was graded as none or minimal by 13 (81.3%) patients. The mean 15D score of the patient group was clinically and statistically the same (0.896 vs. 0.899) as that of the age- and sex-standardized general population (p=0.912). Six (15.8%) patients had used antireflux medication after the operation and 4 of them (10.6%) continuously. Patients in the present study used PPIs less frequently than what has been reported in previous long-term follow-up studies. Our results indicate that successful surgery may provide lifelong relief of GERD symptoms and normalize the health-related quality of life in GERD patients.

Decreased Esophageal Sensitivity to Acid in Morbidly Obese Patients: A Cause for Concern?

Background/AimsTo evaluate esophageal sensitivity to acid between morbidly obese (MO) patients and non-MO controls with abnormal esophageal acid exposure.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study of 58 patients: 30 MO (cases) and 28 non-MO (controls). Esophageal symptoms and esophageal sensitivity to 0.1 M hydrochloric acid solution (Bernstein test) were compared between MO and non-MO patients with a prior diagnosis of abnormal esophageal acid exposure.ResultsMO patients were less symptomatic than non-MO controls (14% vs 96%; odds ratio [OR], 0.006; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.001 to 0.075; p=0.000). MO patients were more likely to present with decreased esophageal sensitivity to the instillation of acid than non-MO controls (57% vs 14%; OR, 8; 95% CI, 1.79 to 35.74; p=0.009). Subgroup analysis revealed no differences in esophageal sensitivity in MO patients with and without abnormal esophageal acid exposure (43% vs 31%; p=0.707).ConclusionsSilent gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common among MO individuals, likely due to decreased esophageal sensitivity to acid. The absence of typical GERD symptoms in these patients may delay discovery of precancerous conditions, such as Barrett’s esophagus. We believe that these patients may require a more aggressive diagnostic work-up to rule out the presence of silent GERD.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and its Association with Body Mass Index: Clinical and Endoscopic Study.

Obesity is rapidly becoming a pandemic and poses a serious health risk to the individuals. Abdominal obesity is quite common in India and is a prime risk factor for diseases like diabetes, coronary artery disease, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), osteoarthritis etc. A complex and multifactorial aetiopathogenesis of GERD exists in presence of obesity. The current study focuses on high Body Mass Index (BMI), a marker of obesity, as a risk factor for GERD and aims for a better understanding of their complex association. To study the association between the BMI and symptoms as well as gross endoscopic appearance of GERD. A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out at a tertiary care hospital in Maharashtra, India, between January 2016 and June 2016. A total of 176 patients referred for upper Gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy due to dyspeptic symptoms of more than two months duration were selected. BMI (weight in kilograms/square of height in metres) was calculated for all patients and they were classified as normal weight (BMI 18.5 -24.9), overweight (BMI 25-29.9) and obese (BMI≥30). The frequency and severity of GERD symptoms was assessed by a self-administered questionnaire. Data on typical and atypical symptoms of GERD was collected. Upper GI endoscopy was done on all patients. Based on gross endoscopic appearance, the disease was divided as Endoscopy Negative Reflux Disease (ENRD) and true GERD (as per Los Angeles staging system). Association between BMI and frequency, severity and type of symptoms of GERD and also between BMI and gross endoscopic oesophagitis was studied using various statistical tests. All tests were two-tailed with a confidence level of 95%. A p-value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Typical symptoms of heartburn and acidic regurgitation were present in 71.6% subjects. The frequency and the severity of the dyspeptic symptoms increased significantly with increasing BMI (p<0.05). Based on the endoscopic gross appearance of the oesophageal mucosa, 48.3% participants had ENRD and 51.7% had erosive disease (GERD). High BMI had a statistically significant relationship with occurrence of both ENRD and GERD (p<0.05) but a statistically insignificant relationship with LA classification system for endoscopic oesophagitis. The prevalence, frequency and severity of symptoms of GERD increases with increase in the BMI. Erosive oesophagitis has significant correlation with increasing BMI, but the staging and classification of endoscopic erosive oesophagitis is independent of the BMI of the patients.

Laryngopharyngeal reflux: an overview on the disease and diagnostic approach

Background Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) can be defined as chronic symptoms or laryngeal mucosal damage caused by the abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the upper airway. LPR plays an important role in up to 50% of laryngeal complaints that present in the otolaryngeal clinic, and the symptomatology of LPR has more different presentation. LPR is suspected in the presence of symptoms of hoarseness, dysphagia, cough, globus, excessive mucus, throat pain, throat clearing, and laryngospasm. Diagnosis of LPR is confirmed using the following: reflux symptom index (RSI), laryngoscopic examination [reflux finding score (RFS)], and esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Patients and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 60 patients with typical gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and laryngeal complaints; these studied patients were recruited from patients who attended the outpatient clinic of Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology, and Phoniatric Unit, Assiut University Hospital. The symptom questionnaire and the classification proposed by Belafsky and his colleagues (RSI) are used and upper endoscopy is performed for the diagnosis of GERD patients. Nasofibrolaryngoscopy for all these patients was performed to compare the results (RFS). Psychiatric assessment was performed by a psychiatric specialist using symptoms checklist revised 90. Patients with a score more than 60 will be re-evaluated using the following questionnaires: Hamilton checklist of symptoms of depressive illness and Hamilton rating scale for anxiety. Results All studied patients showed positive RSI (100%) and diagnostic endoscopy showed GERD in 58 (96.7%) patients, and 32 (53.3%) of them were found to have a positive finding in laryngoscopy; the findings were as follows: vascular congestion and vocal cord hyperemia in 32 (100%) patients, vocal cord edema in 26 (81%), phonatory gap in 13 (40%), subglottic edema in 12 (37%), vocal cord swelling in 10 (31.25%), and contact granuloma in eight (25%). A positive significant correlation was detected between phonasthenia symptoms, mostly lump sensation, hoarseness, throat clearing, and dry mouth (symptoms), and laryngeal finding (RFS), except for difficulty in swallowing saliva. There is a strong association between psychological symptoms and the presence of LPR; the most commonly detected manifestation was anxiety, and there was a positive significant correlation with anxiety and a negative significant correlation between depression and reflux symptoms. Conclusion RSI and RFS could be useful for the diagnosis and evaluation of LPR in patients with GERD complaining of laryngeal symptoms. Psychological intervention can improve the general well-being and quality of life of patients with gastrointestinal symptoms.

Role of Mixed Reflux and Hypomotility with Delayed Reflux Clearance in Patients with Non-cardiac Chest Pain.

Background/AimsGastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common cause of non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP). Currently available data reveal a weak relationship between NCCP and dysmotility. Moreover, it is unclear why some refluxes are perceived as heartburn and others as NCCP. We aimed to evaluate the role of the reflux pattern and the esophageal motility in patients with NCCP.MethodsForty-eight patients with NCCP (Group 1) and 50 only typical GERD symptoms (Group 2) were included and underwent high-resolution manometry (HRM) and multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring.ResultsImpaired peristalsis was found in 60% of patients with NCCP and in 24% of patients with typical symptoms (P < 0.05). In patients belonging to Group 1, the majority of reflux episodes associated with chest pain were acid and mixed. The proportion of mixed refluxes was higher than that in Group 2. In Group 1, the reflux clearing time at 5, 9, and 15 cm, measured in reflux episodes associated to NCCP was longer than in reflux episodes associated to typical symptoms (mean ± 95% CI: 27.2 ± 5.6, 23.3 ± 4.4, and 14.6 ± 2.3 seconds vs 18.3 ± 3.5, 13.3 ± 2.2, and 11.1 ± 1.8 seconds; P < 0.01).ConclusionsThe presence of gas in the refluxate seems to be associated with NCCP. The impaired motility observed in NCCP patients may play a relevant role in delaying reflux clearing, hence increasing the time of contact between refluxate and esophageal mucosa.

Systematic Review of Therapeutic Interventions for PPI Non-responsive Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Introduction: While laparoscopic fundoplication (LF) has been the treatment of choice for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) who remain symptomatic despite proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy, emerging interventions offer an alternative option. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic literature review to report symptomatic and physiologic impacts of therapeutic interventions to treat PPI nonresponsive GERD. Methods: A review of the PubMed, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases from 2005-2015 for GERD therapeutic interventions identified 2928 unique citations. All full-text, English language studies reporting interventions in adult populations with typical GERD symptoms on at least once daily PPI were included. Fifty-one studies met inclusion criteria and were categorized according therapy type: LF (21), endoscopic fundoplication (EF) (11), radiofrequency delivery (RFD) (10), magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) (6) and other (3) [Figure 1].Figure 1Results: As far out as 10 years, LF improves symptoms and physiologic parameters as measured by pH testing according; but PPI use increases (8.8% to 18.2%). EF improves GERD symptoms and eliminates PPI use in 58-93% of cases, but longest follow-up time is 3 years. In the only comparison of EF and LF, an open-label trial found better symptom remission rates (100% vs. 30%) and normalization of esophageal acid exposure (100% vs. 50%) with LF. RFD has mixed results. PPI independence ranges from 6.25-86.3% with RFD and only modest reductions in esophageal acid exposure (11.6% to 8.5%). MSA improves symptoms as far out as 5 years with normalization of acid exposure in 80% of patients and elimination of PPI in 75.3%. In an observational study, MSA, as compared to LF, provides similar improvements in GERD-HQRL scores, greater reduction in PPI use and better preservation of the ability to belch and vomit. Electrical stimulation of the lower esophageal sphincter, submucosal dissection and mucosal resection are emerging techniques that warrant further study. Results summarized in Figure 2.Figure 2Conclusion: LF remains the most proven option for the treatment of PPI nonresponsive GERD. EF and MSA are promising techniques with potentially fewer side effects, while evidence forRFD is mixed. Longer term, randomized trials comparing new techniques with LF are needed.

Recalcitrant Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in the Setting of a Gastroesophageal Junction Mass

In this case study, a sixty-three year old African American female with significant past medical history postsurgical hypothyroidism, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) presented with ongoing complaints of severe retrosternal burning associated with regurgitation. She had severe typical GERD symptoms despite twice a day PPI therapy. She had pH impedance testing on therapy which revealed abnormal esophageal acid exposure on therapy(>2.4% total esophageal acid exposure time). She underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) to evaluate for a source for her symptoms which revealed a freely prolapsing mass at the gastroesophageal junction. The location and dimension of the mass compromised the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) leading to her recalcitrant GERD. The patient was scheduled for laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication with transgastric resection of the gastric mass. Pathology of the intra gastric mass indicated benign sub-epithelial simple cyst. Overlying squamocolumnar junction mucosa with changes suggestive of GERD. At two weeks post op, she was significantly better. She had resolution of her previous symptoms and was no longer taking her PPI. She reported no significant dysphagia and no abdominal pain.Figure 1Discussion: Recalcitrant GERD is a common diagnostic dilemma that gastroenterologist evaluate. This case illustrates a novel cause of recalcitrant GERD secondary to benign sub-epithelial simple cyst creating lower esophageal sphincter incompetence which improved after resection. This case underscores the importance of EGD in patients who fail medical therapy.