胃食管反流病患者的临床特征及其影响因素分析

目的分析胃食管反流病(GERD)患者的临床特征以及影响其发生的因素。方法选取深圳市龙岗区横岗人民医院消化内科2011年5月-2013年5月收治的GERD患者146例作为观察组,另选取148例非GERD患者为对照组,探讨其发病的危险因素。结果 GERD患者发生率最高的6项相关症状为反酸、烧心、上腹部不适、吞咽困难、胸痛、胸骨后不适;治疗前观察组Gerd Q得分显著高于对照组(10.63±2.87 vs 4.02±1.81,P0.05),Gerd Q得分自治疗2周后开始与治疗前比较,差异有显著统计学意义(P0.01);后期有消化道外症状的患者(72例)进行消化道外症状(EED)问卷分析,发现观察组自治疗后4周显著改善,差异有显著统计学意义(P0.01);单因素分析显示GERD影响因素包括:年龄、职业、BMI、腰围、辛辣饮食、高盐饮食、H.pylori感染、吸烟、饮酒、便秘。Logistic多元回归分析显示GERD的危险因素由大到小依次为辛辣饮食、年龄、便秘和职业(OR值分别为4.928、3.673、3.452、3.082)。结论 GERD的临床表现以反酸、烧心、上腹部不适等为主,也会表现出EED的症状;养成良好的饮食习惯、保持肠道畅通、戒烟戒酒、注意锻炼和放松等都能够有效预防和减少GERD的发生。     

Gastroesophageal reflux disease in a low-income region in Turkey

OBJECTIVES: Detailed population-based data regarding the prevalence and symptom profile of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in underdeveloped and developing Caucasian countries are lacking. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and clinical spectrum of GERD in a low-income region in Turkey. METHODS: We used a previously validated reflux questionnaire, which was translated into Turkish and culturally adapted. The questionnaire was applied to 630 randomly selected participants greater than 20 yr old living in a population of 8,857 adults, with a low mean income of 75 dollars/person/month. The reliability and reproducibility of the questionnaire were calculated using the kappa statistic (test-retest). Endoscopy and/or 24-h intraesophageal pH monitoring were used to ascertain its validity in identifying patients with reflux. RESULTS: The prevalence of GERD symptoms was 10% for heartburn, 15.6% for regurgitation, and 20% for either symptom experienced at least weekly (95% CI). Heartburn and regurgitation were associated with noncardiac chest pain (37.3%), dysphagia (35.7%), dyspepsia (42.1%), odynophagia (35.7%), globus, hoarseness, cough, hiccup, nausea, vomiting, belching, and NSAID use, but not with body mass index in both frequent and occasional symptom groups. The prevalence of heartburn symptoms, but not regurgitation, increased significantly with age. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of GERD in a low-income population in Turkey was similar to that of developed countries, although with a different symptom profile, namely, a lower incidence of heartburn and a higher incidence of regurgitation and dyspepsia. These findings support the contention that there are a large number of patients worldwide in underdeveloped nations with poorly recognized and largely undertreated GERD.     

Prevalence and risk factors of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Qashqai migrating nomads, southern Iran

AIM： To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of gastroesophageal reflux disease （GERD） symptoms in Qashqai migrating nomads with a different life style in Fars province, southern Iran. METHODS： In summer 2006, 748 Qashqai migrating nomads aged 25 years or more were enrolled using a multiple-stage stratified cluster random sampling method. A questionnaire consisting of demographic characteristics, lifestyle and GERD symptoms （heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, dysphagia, hoarseness and cough） as completed for each subject. RESULTS： The questionnaire was completed in 717 subjects. The prevalence rate of GERD, defined as reflux occurring at least one time per week in the preceding year, was 33% （237 subjects）. The prevalence was higher in older individuals （36.0% vs 28.9%, P 〈 0.05） and in those with other gastrointestinal complaints （51.0% vs 27.8%, P 〈 0.001）, but not different in obese and non-obese subjects. It was also higher in those consuming fruits and vegetables more than once a week （36.2% vs 17.3%, P 〈 0.001）. GERD had a positive correlation with smoking （42.1% vs 27.8%, P 〈 0.001）, but a negative relation with non-alcoholic beverages. The association between GERD and non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs （NSAIDs） consumption was also significant （40.2% vs 25.4%, P 〈 0.001）. CONCLUSION： The prevalence of GERD （33%） is very high in Qashqai migrating nomads which may be due to a lower socioeconomic and educational level of these people and difference in the life style. Older age, frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables, smoking and NSAIDs are risk factors for GERD in this population.     

Gastrointestinal tract symptoms among persons with diabetes mellitus in the community

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal (GI) tract symptoms are common among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) seen in tertiary care centers. The degree to which this reflects referral bias is unclear. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether GI tract symptoms are more prevalent in unselected patients with DM from the general community compared with their age- and sex-matched counterparts without DM and to assess the association of GI tract symptoms in persons with DM with psychosomatic symptoms, medication use, and symptoms of autonomic neuropathy. METHODS: In this population-based, cross-sectional study, Olmsted County, Minnesota, residents with type 1 DM, a random sample of residents with type 2 DM, and 2 age- and sex-stratified random samples of nondiabetic residents (total of 1262 person for the 4 groups) were mailed a previously validated symptom questionnaire. RESULTS: Heartburn was less common in residents with type 1 DM vs controls (12% vs 23%; P<.05). No significant difference in prevalence was detected (residents with type 1 DM vs controls; residents with type 2 DM vs controls) for nausea or vomiting (12% vs 11%; 6% vs 6%), dyspepsia (19% vs 21%; 13% vs 17%), or constipation (17% vs 14%; 10% vs 12%). However, constipation and/or laxative use was slightly more common in residents with type 1 DM (27% vs 19%; P<.15), particularly in men, and was associated with the intake of calcium channel blockers. CONCLUSIONS: In the community, the prevalence of most GI tract symptoms is similar in persons with or without DM, except for a lower prevalence of heartburn and an increased prevalence of constipation or laxative use in residents with type 1 DM, especially in men. This difference is associated with calcium channel blocker use rather than symptoms of autonomic neuropathy. In community-based practices, physicians should not immediately assume that GI tract symptoms in patients with DM represent a complication of DM.     

Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Moscow

Limited data exist to determine the prevalence and clinical spectrum of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in the Russian population, which might be different from those in Western countries. This study was performed in Moscow on randomized 1065 adults aged ≥15 years. A validated reflux questionnaire comprising 72 questions and an additional 29 sub‐questions were used. The questions assessed (heartburn and regurgitation) and related (dyspepsia, dysphagia, odynophagia and chest pain) symptoms, the triggering factors of these symptoms, family history and data on demographic and socioeconomic features. GERD was defined as heartburn and/or regurgitation once a week or common. Of the 1065 participants, 42.1% were male and 57.9% were female. The prevalences of frequent and occasional symptoms were 17.6 and 22.1% for heartburn and 17.5 and 21.8% for regurgitation, respectively, over the last 12 months. The prevalence of GERD was found to be 23.6%. The rate of GERD was significantly higher in females than in males (15.4 vs. 29.5%, P < 0.001) and significantly increased as the age of the participants increased (P = 0.011). GERD was present in 20.4% of smokers, 24.2% of coffee drinkers, 21.5% of alcohol consumers and 45.9% of stressed participants. Although the rate of alcohol consumers was lower in those with GERD compared with those without GERD, the rate of coffee drinkers and stressed participants was higher among those with GERD. The rate of additional symptoms was higher even in participants complaining of regurgitation/heartburn rarely, compared with those without complaints. Using the same questionnaire, which makes it possible to compare the present results with those from different countries, we found the prevalence of GERD in Moscow to be 23.6%, one of highest in the Western populations. The rates of heartburn and regurgitation were found to be similar, which constitutes a different result than has been found in similar studies. Additional symptoms should be assessed, in all GERD patients even in the presence of rare complaints of regurgitation/heartburn.     

The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease among hospital employees

Quantitative estimate of the actual prevalence of the gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is difficult to obtain because most of the patients with heartburn have intermittent symptoms. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of typical and atypical symptoms suggesting GERD to investigate the association of habits and social conditions reported to lead to reflux in the employees of hospital. A total of 2037 collected forms were assessed. The prevalence of GERD was found to be 21.7% (442). The prevalence of symptoms other than heartburn in employees with and without GERD symptoms were 6.6% versus 3.4% (P < 0.05) for asthma, 27.6% versus 8.3% (P < 0.001) for night cough, 50% versus 19.5% (P < 0.001) for noncardiac chest pain. Dyspeptic complaints were found to be significantly higher among GERD patients (P < 0.001). By multiple logistic regression analysis, female gender (odds ratio [OR] 1.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–1.60, P = 0.027), non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug medication (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.03–1.60, P = 0.021) and body mass index over 30 (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.60–3.18, P < 0.001) were independent risk factors associated with GERD symptoms. GERD is a common health problem in Turkey, and its prevalence is similar to that of Western populations with different symptom profiles. Female gender, non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug, and body mass index >30 kg/m² were independent risk factors associated with GERD symptoms. Age, alcohol, coffee, tea, and tobacco smoking do not seem to be risk factors for reflux.     

Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients with extraesophageal symptoms referred from otolaryngology, allergy, and cardiology practices: a prospective study

AIM: To investigate the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as well as the clinical, endoscopic, and manometric characteristics in 57 adult patients with otolaryngeal symptoms, asthma, or noncardiac chest pain referred from specialized services. METHODS: The following evaluations were performed: (1) upper endoscopy, (2) 24-hour ambulatory esophageal pH monitoring, and (3) esophageal manometry. The prevalence of GERD was determined, and demographic, clinical, endoscopic, and manometric characteristics of patients with or without GERD were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty-four out of 57 patients (60%) had GERD. The 95% confidence interval ranged from 48 to 72%. There was no statistical difference between patients with or without GERD regarding gender, age, or time of evolution of symptoms. Cough was more frequent in the subjects with GERD (75 vs. 25%, p<0.05). Nevertheless, cough was observed in only 53% of the patients with GERD. Patients suffering from laryngitis had a greater proximal and distal esophageal acid exposure time than those without. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of GERD was 60%. There is not a definite demographic or clinical profile that permits us to distinguish between patients with and without GERD among those with ear, nose, and throat and pulmonary symptoms or chest pain.     

Extraösophageale Manifestationen der Refluxerkrankung an den Atmungsorganen

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common medical condition with a prevalence of 10–20% in the western world and almost every third GERD-patient presents with extraesophageal symptoms. The extraesophageal symptoms and disorders associated with GERD are chronic cough, bronchial asthma, sleep disturbances or aggravation of sleep disordered breathing, hoarseness, dental erosions and non-cardiac chest pain. The severity of the symptoms is variable. Typical GERD symptoms like heartburn and regurgitation can occur only faintly or not at all, and extraesophageal symptoms may be predominant. Causality and pathogenesis are not clarified conclusively, however recurrent microaspirations and nerval mechanisms are suggested. Recurrent aspirations, especially in patients with structural oesophageal disorders predispose to pulmonary infections. One hypothesis postulates a causal relationship between microaspirations and idopathic pulmonary fibrosis. This article gives an overview of reflux associated bronchopulmonary diseases and summarizes treatment options.     

Role of clinical presentation in diagnosing reflux-related non-cardiac chest pain

INTRODUCTION: Non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) presents as a frequent diagnostic challenge, with patients tending to use a disproportionate level of health-care resources. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most frequent cause of NCCP. Thus the typical symptoms of reflux, such as heartburn and regurgitation, when present as predominant symptoms are quite specific for diagnosing GERD but in patients with NCCP the clinical diagnosis of reflux is difficult, and invasive methods or the omeprazole test are required for its detection. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of clinical presentation when diagnosing GERD among patients with NCCP. METHODS: Patients with NCCP underwent upper endoscopy, Bernstein and omeprazole tests. The patients were divided into two groups based on GER- or non-GER-related chest pain, and clinical presentation was compared between these two groups. Gastroesophageal reflux disease was considered positive when at least two methods were positive. RESULTS: From 78 NCCP patients (41 male; mean age 50.4 +/- 2.3 years), the chest pain was related to GERD in 35 patients (44.8%). The two groups were the same based on sex and age. The chest pain severity, site, radiation and relation to food, exercise, and sleep were equal in the two groups, except for two symptoms: pain that was relieved by antacid (P < 0.031) and presence of classical reflux symptoms (P < 0.009), seen in the GERD patients. With regard to recent patient history, heartburn and regurgitation symptoms were seen more frequently in GERD patients (P < 0.036 and P < 0.002, respectively). DISCUSSION: Clinical presentation is important in diagnosing GERD in NCCP. Although the chest pain is the same in reflux- and non-reflux-related NCCP, the symptoms of heartburn or regurgitation in the present or recent patient history are diagnostic for GERD-related chest pain.     

Prevalence and clinical spectrum of gastroesophageal reflux: a population-based study in Asan-si, Korea

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This study estimated the prevalence and clinical spectrum of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in Asan-si, Korea, as the prevalence is believed to be lower than in Western countries. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey, using a reliable and valid questionnaire, was performed on randomly selected 2,240 Asan-si residents aged between 18 and 69 yr. All respondents were interviewed at their homes or offices by a team of interviewers. RESULTS: Of the 1,902 eligible subjects, 1,417 (78.4%: male 762; female 655) were surveyed. The prevalence of heartburn occurring at least once a month, at least once a week, and at least twice a week was 4.71% (95% confidence interval (CI), 3.6-5.8), 2.0% (95% CI, 1.2-2.7), and 1.3% (95% CI, 0.7-1.9), respectively. The corresponding figures for acid regurgitation were 4.4% (95% CI, 3.3-5.5) and 2.0% (95% CI, 1.3-2.8), respectively. The prevalence of GERD, defined as heartburn and/or acid regurgitation experienced at least weekly, was 3.5% (95% CI, 2.6-4.5). No significant difference was detected between sexes. The prevalence of heartburn was associated with increasing age (p < 0.001). Nineteen percent of our population reported at least one of the atypical symptoms, for instance, chest pain, dysphagia, globus sensation, asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, or hoarseness. The frequency of frequent GERD among subjects reporting any of the atypical symptoms was 12.6%, which was higher than that of the subjects without atypical symptoms. Patients with typical reflux symptoms were more common among those with atypical symptoms, compared to those without such symptoms (p < 0.001). Using a logistic regression model after adjusting for age and sex, typical reflux symptoms were associated with chest pain (odds ratio (OR), 9.3; 95% CI, 5.9-14.7), dysphagia (OR, 6.4; 95% CI, 2.8-14.7), globus sensation (OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.5-9.7), hoarseness (OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.4-13.1), asthma (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.4-4.8), and bronchitis (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.6-2.3). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of GERD was 3.5% in this Korean population. Heartburn and acid regurgitation were significantly associated with chest pain, dysphagia, globus sensation, hoarseness, and asthma.     

Systematic review: Epidemiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Latin America

The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is 10% to 20% in Europe and North America, and about 5% in Asia. This systematic review aimed to quantify the prevalence and incidence of GERD in Latin America, and to determine the potential risk factors and co-morbidities. Systematic literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase and the Scientific Electronic Library On-line. No language restrictions were imposed. Eight studies were identified that reported on the prevalence of heartburn and/or regurgitation in Latin America. The prevalence of heartburn and/or regurgitation was 11.9% to 31.3% in the five studies that reported on at least weekly symptoms, and 25% to 35% in the three studies that did not report on symptom frequency. GERD symptoms were associated with obesity and respiratory diseases. No population-based studies on the incidence of GERD or the prevalence of reflux esophagitis were identified. However, four studies investigated the prevalence of reflux esophagitis in patients referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, reporting it to be 35% to 47% in patients referred because of GERD symptoms and 13% in patients referred for any indication. The reported prevalence of GERD in Latin America is similar to estimates obtained in previous studies from Europe and North America, and higher than those obtained from Asia. The association of GERD symptoms with specific comorbidities warrants further investigation and should inform patient management.     

以慢性咳嗽为主要表现的胃食管反流病患者的食管功能及反流特点

目的 通过对以慢性咳嗽为主要表现的胃食管反流病(GERD)患者行高分辨食管内压力-阻抗联合测定(MII-HRM)及24h联合多通道腔内阻抗-pH( MII-pH)监测的结果分析,探讨此类患者食管运动功能及胃食管反流的特点.方法 选取2010年3-11月在首都医科大学附属北京朝阳医院就诊的19例GERD伴慢性咳嗽患者为研究对象.应用MII-HRM及24 h MII-pH监测系统测定上食管括约肌(UES)和下食管括约肌压力、食管体部蠕动功能、对液体和黏液性物质的传输功能、立位及卧位酸及非酸反流的次数、近端反流的次数、酸暴露时间、酸清除时间以及食团清除时间.以同期仅表现为典型胃食管反流症状的17例GERD患者作为对照,比较两组间食管运动功能以及胃食管反流参数的差异.结果 与仅表现为典型胃食管反流症状的GERD患者相比,以慢性咳嗽为主要表现的GERD患者的UES静息压力明显更低[(122.55 ±60.48)mm Hg比(86.37±41.35) mm Hg(1 mm Hg =0.133 kPa),P＜0.05],食管体部异常蠕动的比例更高[(9.47±15.63)％比(22.16±17.45)％,P＜0.05],食管体部对液体物质传输能力减低[(88.82±12.23)％比(71.68±23.06)％,P＜0.05],卧位时酸及非酸反流次数及卧位近端非酸反流次数明显增多(P＜0.05),卧位食团清除时间延长(P＜0.05).结论 以慢性咳嗽为主要表现的GERD发病机制可能与单纯典型GERD不同,其与UES静息压力减低、卧位酸及非酸反流、近端反流的增多以及食管清除功能障碍密切相关.     

Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms in Japan

Background and Aim:  Epidemiological studies have shown that 10–48% of people in developed countries have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms such as heartburn and acid regurgitation. The present study aimed to examine the prevalence of GERD symptoms and GERD in Japanese subjects.
Methods:  A cross-sectional study of Japanese subjects who visited a clinic for a routine health check up was carried out. Subjects were asked to fill out a self-report questionnaire. GERD was defined as the presence of heartburn and/or acid regurgitation at least twice per week.
Results:  Of the 6035 eligible subjects, 2662 (44.1%) reported having had heartburn and/or acid regurgitation during the past year: 124 (2.1%) daily, 275 (4.6%) twice per week, 773 (12.8%) twice per month and 1490 (24.7%) less than twice per month. Three hundred and ninety-nine (6.6%) subjects were diagnosed as having GERD and there was no relationship between the prevalence of GERD and either sex or age. The prevalence of bothersome GERD symptoms was significantly higher in subjects with GERD than in those without GERD.
Conclusion:  Approximately 6.6% of Japanese have GERD and most persons with GERD described heartburn or acid regurgitation as bothersome.     

Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms in Japan

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Epidemiological studies have shown that 10-48% of people in developed countries have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms such as heartburn and acid regurgitation. The present study aimed to examine the prevalence of GERD symptoms and GERD in Japanese subjects. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of Japanese subjects who visited a clinic for a routine health check up was carried out. Subjects were asked to fill out a self-report questionnaire. GERD was defined as the presence of heartburn and/or acid regurgitation at least twice per week. RESULTS: Of the 6035 eligible subjects, 2662 (44.1%) reported having had heartburn and/or acid regurgitation during the past year: 124 (2.1%) daily, 275 (4.6%) twice per week, 773 (12.8%) twice per month and 1490 (24.7%) less than twice per month. Three hundred and ninety-nine (6.6%) subjects were diagnosed as having GERD and there was no relationship between the prevalence of GERD and either sex or age. The prevalence of bothersome GERD symptoms was significantly higher in subjects with GERD than in those without GERD. CONCLUSION: Approximately 6.6% of Japanese have GERD and most persons with GERD described heartburn or acid regurgitation as bothersome.     

妊娠期胃食管反流病的症状特征研究

目的探讨妊娠期胃食管反流病（GERD）症状的发生率及严重程度。 方法选取2018年1月至2019年1月,新疆维吾尔自治区人民医院住院就诊的120例孕妇设定为研究组,进行了一项前瞻性纵向队列研究,通过GerdQ问卷调查妊娠期GERD的患病率。同期选取健康体检者40例非怀孕妇女作为对照组。2组每3个月均记录反流症状的频率和严重程度。 结果妊娠（早、中、晚期）和非孕妇GERD问卷调查结果表示,妊娠晚期的评分范围（3~7分、8~10分、11~14分及15~18分）均明显高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。在孕妇中,5.0%的患者在怀孕前3个月（早期）至少每周有1次反流。在妊娠晚期,15.0%的孕妇每周至少有1次反流,2.50%的非孕妇每周发生1次以上的反流,各组间比较具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。在孕妇中,5.0%的妊娠早期至少每周有1次烧心。妊娠中期为10.0%,晚期为17.5%,2.5%的非孕妇每周至少有1次烧心,在妊娠晚期,发生烧心的妇女占17.5%,各组间比较具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。从妊娠早期到妊娠中、晚期,个别症状（反流,烧灼感）的频率与非孕妇组比较均明显增加,在妊娠晚期症状出现的频率达到高峰,与非孕妇组以及妊娠早期比较,具有明显的统计学意义（P＜0.05）。根据症状诊断及发生情况,GERD在妊娠早期发病率为24.5%,在中期为37.5%,在妊娠晚期为52.5%,非孕妇（对照组）GERD患病率为7.5%。 结论妊娠晚期GERD症状发生率明显高于非孕妇,且在妊娠过程中发生率逐渐增高。     

Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux in diabetes patients

We used a simple questionnaire to determine the presence or absence of symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) among control (n=531) and diabetic patients (n=629). Of 531 controls, 24.3% reported having symptoms, while 24.9% of 629 diabetic patients had symptoms. Symptomatic diabetic patients (n=157) were then asked to complete a supplemental questionnaire (QUEST) to determine the frequency, severity, and duration of GERD symptoms; a total diagnostic score > or =4 was considered to be positive for GERD. Diabetic patients whose QUEST score was > or =4 had a significantly higher BMI (26.9+/-0.4* vs. 24.4+/-0.4), higher HbA1c (7.5+/-0.2* vs. 7.2+/-0.1), longer duration of diabetes (113.5+/-8.7* vs. 94.0+/-10.6 months), and a higher prevalence of diabetic complications (retinopathy, 24.8%* vs. 21.3%; nephropathy, 32.6%* vs. 19.4%; neuropathy, 30.4%* vs. 23.6%) than diabetic patients whose QUEST score was <4 (*p<0.05). In diabetic patients with GERD, therapy should include not only proton pump inhibitor therapy and other specific measures for GERD, but also appropriate therapy for the diabetes, particularly blood glucose control and weight reduction.     

Extraesophageal gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms are not more frequently associated with proximal esophageal reflux than typical GERD symptoms

Extraesophageal (EE) symptoms such as cough and throat clearing are common in patients referred for reflux testing, but are less commonly associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Patients with reflux associated EE symptoms often lack typical GERD symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation. Our aim was to compare the frequency of proximal esophageal reflux between esophageal (typical) symptoms and EE (atypical) symptoms. Combined multichannel intraluminal impedance‐pH (MII‐pH) tracings were blinded by an investigator so that symptom markers were relabeled with a number without disclosure of symptom type. We selected 40 patients with at least five reflux‐related symptom events for one of four symptoms (heartburn, regurgitation, cough, or throat clearing). A blinded investigator analyzed all 200 reflux episodes, reporting the proximal esophageal extent of the reflux for all symptoms. The percentage of symptom‐related reflux extending proximally to 17 cm above the LES was similar among all four symptom types. At least 50% of all symptoms were associated with proximal esophageal reflux to 17 cm, with regurgitation having the highest frequency at 60%. Our data indicate that EE symptoms are not more frequently associated with proximal esophageal reflux than typical esophageal symptoms.     

Gastroesophageal reflux disease--state of the art

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is defined as chronic symptoms or mucosal damage produced by the abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus; heartburn, its most common manifestation, occurs in 7% to 10% of the U.S. population on a daily basis. In addition, many so-called extraesophageal or atypical symptoms, including chronic cough, laryngitis and other otolaryngologic conditions, asthma, and unexplained chest pain, can be associated with GERD, but these patients appear to have a decreased frequency of heartburn, making the diagnosis of GERD difficult. All patients can be successfully managed with appropriate, titrated use of pharmacologic therapy. Antireflux surgery should thus be considered as an option only for patients who cannot afford or choose not to continue long-term medical therapy and for the rare patient with side effects or resistance to proton pump inhibitors. Endoscopic therapy for reflex should be considered as an experimental technology needing continuing evaluation.     

Reflux episode reaching the proximal esophagus are associated with chronic cough

Background/Aims

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic cough. The aims of this study were to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of multichannel intraluminal impedance combined with pH monitoring (MII/pH monitoring) in patients with suspected symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and to assess the correlation between GER symptoms and reflux nature.

Methods

Seventy patients with suspected symptoms of GERD (such as heartburn, acid regurgitation, non-cardiac chest pain, globus and chronic cough) were enrolled. All patients were asked to discontinue medications that would influence esophageal motor function and gastric acid secretion at least one week ago. All subjects underwent MII/pH monitoring.

Results

Forty-five patients (64.3%) were diagnosed with GERD. Among these patients, eleven patients (15.7%) had pathologic acid reflux by pH data and thirty-four patients (48.6%) had pathologic bolus exposure by impedance. Subjects with chronic cough had a higher DeMeester score (p=0.009), percentage of acid exposure time (p=0.007), acid bolus exposure % time (p=0.027), distal acid reflux episodes (p=0.015) and proximal acid reflux episodes (p=0.030) than subjects without chronic cough.

Conclusions

The results of this study showed that the impedance monitoring enhanced diagnostic sensitivity than pH-monitoring alone by 48.6%. In addition, reflux episodes at the distal and proximal esophagus were noted to be important factors associated with chronic cough.     

Ineffective esophageal motility: the most common motility abnormality in patients with GERD-associated respiratory symptoms

OBJECTIVE: The association of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and respiratory symptoms is well known. The coexistence of ineffective esophageal motility (IEM, low-amplitude [< 30 mm Hg] or nontransmitted contractions in > or = 30% of 10 wet swallows in the distal esophagus) in patients with GERD has recently been demonstrated. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of IEM in patients with GERD-associated respiratory symptoms. METHODS: Manometry and pH studies of 98 consecutive patients with respiratory symptoms and abnormal reflux shown by pH-metry were reviewed. Symptoms were chronic cough (n = 43), asthma (n = 13), and laryngitis (n = 42). Sixty-six patients with heartburn with no extraesophageal manifestations were used as a control group. Total esophageal acid clearance (EAC) time was calculated for each patient. RESULTS: IEM was the most common motility abnormality seen in all groups of GERD patients. It was seen significantly more often in patients with chronic cough (41%) (p = 0.003) or asthma (53%) (p = 0.01), and numerically more often in patients with laryngitis (31%) than in patients with heartburn (19%). Diffuse esophageal spasm and nutcracker esophagus were rarely seen. Incidence of hypertensive or hypotensive lower esophageal sphincter was similar across all groups. The total EAC time was longer (median: 1.51 min/episode) (p = 0.01) in patients with GERD-associated respiratory symptoms than in patients with heartburn (median: 0.72 min/episode). CONCLUSIONS: IEM is the most prevalent motility abnormality in patients with GERD-associated respiratory symptoms. Coexistence of IEM with GER may place patients at high risk for respiratory symptoms due to the associated delayed esophageal acid clearance seen with this motility abnormality.