Differential diagnosis of GERD

It was widely accepted that the prevalence of GERD is lower in Oriental countries compared to Western countries. But the incidence of GERD has recently increased in Japan. The most commonly recognized manifestation of GERD is heartburn or a substernal burning sensation in the chest. Most patients with reflux esophagitis complain of typical symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation or dysphagia. However, some patients complain of atypical symptoms such as hoarse voice, chronic cough, adult-onset asthma or vocal cord polyps. It is not always easy to diagnose atypical symptomatic patients as GERD. If patients who complain of these atypical symptoms have not improved with common medical treatment, GERD should be the consideration in its differential diagnosis.     

Epidemiology of GERD in Japan

To determine the epidemiological characteristics of Japanese patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD), we investigated the prevalences of heartburn, reflux esophagitis(RE), hiatus hernia and Barrett's mucosa, and assessed the correlations among them. In total, 15.4 % (725/4,723) of patients had heartburn twice or more per week and 42.2% had symptoms of heartburn, including those who had heartburn once or less per week, and 16.7 % (602/3,608) of patients had RE. The prevalences of hiatus hernia and Barrett' s mucosa were 49.3 % (1,263/2,560) and 20.8% (536/2,577), respectively. There was a weak correlation between RE and heartburn, but 75.5% of patients who had heartburn did not have any endoscopic abnormalities, and 40.1% of patients without endoscopic abnormalities had heartburn, suggesting the presence of endoscopy-negative GERD. Results also showed that 26.2 % of patients had RE associated with hiatus hernia, and there was a correlation between the two. There was a weak correlation between Barrett' s mucosa and RE and between Barrett' s mucosa and hiatus hernia.     

Relief of reflux symptoms after endoscopic gastroplication may be associated with reduced esophageal Acid sensitivity: a pilot study

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Although the new endoscopic techniques for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) lead to marked clinical benefit, the underlying mechanism of this is unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, the effect of endoscopic gastroplication was investigated in six patients with GERD, who were assessed before and 4 weeks after treatment. The effect on reflux symptoms, quality of life, proton pump inhibitor (PPI) consumption, reflux esophagitis, acid exposure, esophageal motility, lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP), and gastric emptying was measured. Esophageal acid sensitivity before and after treatment was investigated using a standardized acid provocation test, and compared with that of six age- and sex-matched healthy controls. RESULTS: Significant clinical benefit and discontinuation of PPI consumption after gastroplication was seen. Among the objectively measured parameters, only acid exposure was significantly reduced and gastric emptying significantly delayed. However, acid exposure remained pathologically high. Esophageal acid sensitivity was significantly reduced. The induction of heartburn and/or pain was abolished in four patients after gastroplication. In two patients the intensity of heartburn/pain was significantly reduced by 40 % or 60 %, and the time to provoke heartburn/pain significantly prolonged by 40% or 100%. CONCLUSION: These preliminary data suggest that the decrease of esophageal sensitivity to acid after endoscopic gastroplication is part of the mechanism responsible for the reduction of reflux symptoms.     

Hiatus hernia and reflux esophagitis

Usually, axial hiatus hernia is a common disorder that produces no symptoms and requires no treatment and in the few patients who do experience symptoms, simple nonoperative treatment measures suffice. The typical symptoms of reflux esophagitis are heartburn and nocturnal regurgitation. Most patients respond well to nonoperative treatment; any associated axial hiatus hernia is not the cause of the symptoms of reflux esophagitis and does not need treatment. In the very few patients who do need an operation, fundoplication conducted through the abdomen is recommended. In nonaxial hiatus hernia the symptoms of intermittent obstruction and bleeding are due to volvulus of the herniated stomach; volvulus produces a closed-loop obstruction, a potentially dangerous condition. Surgical repair should be undertaken when the diagnosis is made, just as for other hernias of the abdominal wall and for the same cogent reasons. Prosthetic reinforced repair conducted through the abdomen is preferred.     

Endoscopic findings of GERD

Reflux esophagitis is divided into four grades, i.e. Grade A to D, according to the severity of its mucosal break in the endoscopic classification of reflux esophagitis (Los Angels classification). In our study, only 14.3% of patients with heartburn had Grade A to D during endoscopy. This means that Los Angels classification is insufficient at least in Japan. Then we have claimed that Grade M and Grade N are to be included in this classification, which mean minimal change and no lesions, respectively.     

Epidemiology of gastro-esophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD) is believed to be common and chronic gastrointestinal disorder. Quantitative estimates of the actual prevalence of GERD are difficult to obtain, because those who seek health care probably represent only a tip of the iceberg of people with GERD. The prevalence of heartburn and/or regurgitation, considered to be reasonably specific symptoms for the diagnosis of GERD, ranged from 10% to 48% for heartburn, from 9% to 45% for regurgitation and 21% to 59% for both/either in systematic review of GERD and reflux esophagitis(RE). It is widely accepted that the prevalence is lower in Asian countries, including Japan, compared with that in Western countries. However, the prevalence of RE in Japan may be increasing. In the case of heartburn and regurgitation in GERD and endoscopic findings in RE, different understandings of these terms by different investigators and subjects may have contributed to the range of results. Symptom definitions and what is understood by them should be among the most important considerations when undertaking population prevalence studies on reflux like symptoms, to allow comparisons to be made between studies.     

安徽省铜陵地区胃食管反流病临床流行病学调查

目的了解安徽铜陵地区消化门诊胃食管反流病(GERD)患病率及其临床与内镜特点并分析其危险因素。方法针对铜陵3家市级医院2008年6至8月消化内科门诊连续就诊人群,根据国内通用的GERD临床诊断标准(RDQ总积分≥12分)和洛杉矶RE内镜诊断标准进行GERD调查和诊断。结果7 352例消化门诊连续就诊患者中共调查出GER症状患者1072例,GERD199例。GERD患病率为2.7%,其中RE1.3%,NERD1.4%。RE男女比例为3.09∶1,NERD为1.14∶1。40~60岁GERD患者占61.8%。各反流症状发生率依次为反酸78.4%、烧心74.4%、反食52.3%、胸痛40.7%;咽部异物感、夜间咳嗽、声嘶等食管外症状发生率依次为43.2%、12.6%、10.7%。内镜RE分级A级59例(62.8%)、B级26例(27.7%)、C级4例(4.3%)、D级5例(5.3%)。多因素分析显示吸烟、高脂饮食、不良心绪和经济状况差是GERD的危险因素。结论该地区GERD患者率较低(2.7%),40~60岁人群为GERD高发人群。临床以反酸、烧心、反食、胸痛为主要表现,食管外症状占一定比例。心理社会因素可能参与了GERD发病。     

Endoscopic findings in end-stage renal disease

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) may demonstrate a number of gastrointestinal lesions and suffer subsequent complications. Our aim was to investigate the endoscopic findings in these patients and identify the predisposing factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During a 1-year period (February 2000 to January 2001), we studied consecutive patients with end-stage renal disease who were undergoing routine endoscopy before renal transplantation. The rapid urease test was also performed to detect Helicobacter pylori infection. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors for important endoscopic lesions, including esophagitis, gastroduodenal erosions, and peptic ulcers. RESULTS: We studied 206 patients (124 male, 82 female, mean age 38.9). Of the patients 73.8% were asymptomatic but some patients experienced nausea (12.6%), heartburn (8.7%), and abdominal pain (7.3%). Endoscopy was normal in 74 patients (35.9%). Abnormal endoscopic findings were duodenal erosions (32.0%), antral erosions (22.8%), diffuse antral erythema (27.8%), duodenal ulcer (7.3%), esophagitis (5.8%), angiodysplasia (4.4%), nodular duodenum (2%), and inflammatory gastric polyps (1.5%). The rapid urease test was positive in 58.8% of patients. Important endoscopic lesions were more common in men and in H. pylori-infected patients. Age, duration of dialysis, cause of the ESRD, presence of any symptoms, and hemoglobin levels were not found to be related to these lesions. Most patients with peptic ulcers were asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: Duodenal erosions (32.0%), gastric erosions (22.8%), diffuse antral erythema (27.8%) and duodenal ulcer (7.3%) are common lesions in patients with end-stage renal disease. Male gender and H. pylori infection are associated with a higher risk of these lesions. As there is no association between patients' symptoms and gastroduodenal lesions, which may increase the risk of post-transplant complications, the development of diagnostic strategies for the detection of these lesions is recommended.     

Abdominal malignancy masquerading as gastro-oesophageal reflux

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is a common condition, and the typical symptoms of postprandial heartburn and upper abdominal pain usually respond well to acid-suppressive medication. Occasionally, the gastro-oesophageal reflux is secondary to gastric outlet obstruction, and rarely, it is due to more distal intestinal obstruction. Two patients are described who seemed to have a primary diagnosis of gastro-oesophageal reflux but who were subsequently found to have disseminated intra-abdominal malignancy. Further investigation beyond the endoscopic confirmation of oesophagitis should be considered in patients who have typical gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms but who also have any associated worrying clinical features.     

Detection of reflux esophagitis on double-contrast esophagrams and endoscopy using the histologic findings as the gold standard

The purpose of our study was to determine the accuracy of double-contrast barium studies and endoscopy for detecting reflux esophagitis, using the endoscopic biopsy findings as the gold standard. A review of radiology, endoscopy, and pathology files showed 37 patients with reflux symptoms who underwent double-contrast barium studies and endoscopy with biopsy specimens from the esophagus. The radiographic images were reviewed in a blinded fashion and correlated with the endoscopic and histologic findings to determine the radiographic and endoscopic accuracies for detecting reflux esophagitis, using the endoscopic biopsy specimens as the gold standard. Double-contrast barium studies and endoscopy had low but comparable accuracies for detecting reflux esophagitis, with sensitivities of 35% and 39%, specificities of 79% and 71%, positive predictive values of 73% and 69%, and negative predictive values of 42% and 41%, respectively. When mucosa granularity was evaluated as an individual sign of esophagitis on double-contrast studies, this finding had a sensitivity of 35%, a specificity of 93%, a positive predictive value of 89%, and a negative predictive value of 46% for detecting reflux esophagitis. Our experience suggests that double-contrast barium studies and endoscopy have limited ability to detect reflux esophagitis, in particular mild esophagitis, when using the histologic findings as the gold standard. When radiographic abnormalities are detected, however, mucosal granularity is the single best sign of reflux esophagitis on double-contrast studies.     

老年反流性食管炎患者的临床特点及食管运动功能分析

【摘要】目的探讨老年反流性食管炎（RE）患者的临床表现、内镜、幽门螺杆菌（Up）感染及食管运动功能特点,为老年RE患者的治疗提供理论依据。方法选取我院近3年来经内镜诊断并行食管测压及食管24hpH值监测的老年RE患者56例与同期检出的中青年RE患者58例,分析两组患者的临床表现、内镜、Hp感染及食管运动功能特点。结果老年组反酸、胃灼热的发生率明显低于中青年组（P〈0．05）。老年组轻中度食管炎发生率低于中青年组,重度食管炎发生率高于中青年组,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。老年组食管裂孔疝（HH）合并率显著高于中青年组（P〈0．05）。老年组伴发Barrett食管（BE）7例（12．5％）,中青年组3例（5．2％）,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。老年组Hp阳性率29．6％;中青年组Hp阳性率26．4％,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。老年组下食管括约肌压力（LESP）、食管体部压力明显低于中青年组（P〈O．05）。反流〉5min次数老年组明显高于中青年组（P〈0．05）。结论老年RE患者的典型症状发生率明显低于中青年人,非典型症状高于中青年人。RE食管黏膜破损程度随年龄增加而加重。老年RE患者HH的发生率增加,BE发生率较中青年人有增高趋势,Hp感染率与中青年RE患者相近。老年人RE患者抗反流能力减弱、食管酸廓清能力下降明显,可出现更严重的食管运动功能障碍。     

Pretreatment endoscopy--pro & contra: endoscopy is needed before treatment in all patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease

Most current endoscopic guidelines do not recommend the use of routine esophagoscopy in the evaluation of patients with typical symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), unless alarm features are present. In patients with known reflux esophagitis, esophagoscopy is considered to have no role either in the further management or follow-up. Screening of reflux patients for Barrett's esophagus is not considered to be cost-effective. On the basis of a critical review of the available literature, and of some recent papers in particular, we disagree with these suggestions. We would argue, on the contrary, that a negative esophagoscopy can provide the GERD patient with reassurance, and that esophagoscopy allows targeted therapy to be offered if it is positive for esophagitis. When Barrett's esophagus is diagnosed, it usually leads to a surveillance program being initiated. The potential benefits of endoscopy for the patient's quality of life are probably underestimated when financial issues alone are taken into account. Even if it is true that a large percentage of GERD patients do not have endoscopic abnormalities (those with nonerosive reflux disease), surrogate tests such as the proton-pump inhibitor test or symptom questionnaires do not provide a more accurate diagnosis. We would therefore suggest that, at least in the specialist setting, all patients with suspected GERD should undergo accurate symptom analysis as well as endoscopic evaluation before treatment is started.     

Definition and classification of GERD

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease(GERD) is a condition which develops when the reflux of stomach contents causes troublesome symptoms and/or complications. Traditionally, it was defined as a condition in which either or both of reflux esophagitis and reflux symptoms can be identified. The Montreal definition expanded the category of GERD to complications of esophagitis and extra-esophageal symptoms with or without established evidence on the correlation with GERD. Symptomatic patients those who lacks the evidence of mucosal breaks are called as NERD. Functional heartburn, defined in Rome III, is similar in symptoms but different in the responsiveness to PPIs. Increasing knowledge will clarify what the gastroesophageal reflux really causes health problems.     

Gastroesophageal reflux disease: presentation and assessment of a common, challenging disorder

Although gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is frequently referred to as a continuous spectrum, it is more useful to consider GERD as 2 discrete entities with several subsets that differ in pathophysiology, clinical presentation, natural history, and therapy. One entity is classic severe acid reflux with erosive esophagitis and its complications. Barrett's esophagus is an important subset of this group, with markedly increased acid exposure and an increased risk of adenocarcinoma. The second entity is nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) with minimal or no esophagitis. Patients with NERD do not develop local mucosa complications, like stricture or Barrett's esophagus, but their symptom severity can equal that of erosive esophagitis. Acid is involved in the symptoms of many but not all NERD patients. This acid dependence is evident either as an increase in esophageal acid reflux or a hypersensitivity to acid, and both generally respond well to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. NERD patients who are not acid-dependent have what is called functional heartburn; GERD-like symptoms are present, but there is no obvious involvement of refluxed acid. An important subset of GERD is refractory GERD, which consists of patients who fail aggressive PPI therapy. Parallel findings with other refractory syndromes can be anticipated; however, there are indications that psychosocial factors play a major role in refractory GERD, and these patients may benefit more from an integrated biopsychosocial approach. Diagnosis of GERD is usually made on clinical grounds, often supplemented by a therapeutic trial with antisecretory agents. Endoscopy is reserved for patients with alarm symptoms, such as dysphagia, anemia, or weight loss, or to detect Barrett's esophagus. Endoscopy is not useful to exclude the diagnosis of GERD because it will be negative in 70% of cases in primary care. Ambulatory 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring is necessary only when the diagnosis is in doubt, the patient fails medical management, or surgery is contemplated.     

内镜检查中反流性食管炎及相关因素的调查分析

目的探讨内镜检查中反流性食管炎及其相关因素如食管裂孔疝的发病情况及临床特点。方法回顾我院1999年1月-2000年12月胃镜检查资料，检出符合标准的反流性食管炎、食管裂孔疝及其它与食管炎相关的病例，分析各种病例检出情况、临床特点及合并症。结果反流性食管炎167例，检出率3．85％；食管裂孔疝101例，检出率2、47％；其中反流性食管炎合并食管裂孔疝66例(39．52％)，而食管裂孔疝中61．68％合并反流性食管炎；反流性食管炎合并十二指肠溃疡并不全梗阻37例(22．16％)，胆汁反流7例(4．19％)，急性胃黏膜病变4例(2．39％)，残胃6例(3．59％)。另外，反流性食管炎中有20例(11．97％)患者表现为贲门松弛。食管炎合并食管裂孔疝的患者较单纯食管裂孔疝的患者年龄明显增大，前者58、88岁，后者40．03岁。合并食管炎的食管裂孔疝患者反酸、烧心症状的发生率较单纯裂孔疝高。结论反流性食管炎与很多因素有关，食管裂孔疝为反流性食管炎的重要病因，随着年龄增大食管裂孔疝合并反流性食管炎的机率增加、尤其是老年人伴有反流症状的更要引起注意。     

食管皮脂腺异位内镜表现和临床病理分析（附国内19例报告）

目的总结食管皮脂腺异位的内镜表现和病理特点,提高临床、内镜和病理医生对该病的认识和诊断能力。方法收集吉林大学白求恩第一医院收治的5例以上消化道症状起病的食管皮脂腺异位患者的临床资料,并检索文献中的14例食管皮脂腺异位的患者资料,分析该病患者的内镜下表现和病理特点。结果 19例患者中2例无临床症状,其余以上腹部不适、上腹部饱胀、上腹痛、胸骨后哽咽感、进食异物感、反酸和烧心等就诊,其中胸骨后哽咽感、进食异物感与该病相关性强,该病无阳性体征。该病内镜下常见诊断为黄色(斑)瘤(26.32%)、脂肪瘤(15.79%)、食管结节性增生(5.26%)、霉菌性食管炎(5.26%)和食管白斑(5.26%)等,误诊率高,病变多位于食管中下段(84.21%)。所有患者均经病理证实为食管皮脂腺异位,病理表现为成熟或幼稚皮脂腺细胞。结论食管皮脂腺异位为少见临床病变,临床无特异症状,误诊率高,应提高鉴别诊断能力,特别是与浅表型食管癌鉴别。该病确诊有赖于内镜及病理活检,预后较好。     

Predictive relationship of hiatal hernia to reflux esophagitis

The relationship between hiatal hernia and reflux esophagitis was compared in 93 patients who underwent both radiographic and endoscopic examination of the esophagus. In 46 patients with a normal esophagus shown endoscopically, hiatal hernia was present in 59%, while 94% of 47 patients with reflux esophagitis had hiatal hernia. The positive and negative predictive values for hiatal hernia in diagnosing or excluding esophagitis were 62% and 86%, respectively. Extrapolation of these data and review of the literature suggest that much of the confusion concerning the relationship between hiatal hernia and reflux esophagitis is based on reports of populations with considerable variation in the prevalence of esophagitis and in which the radiographie criteria for diagnosing hiatal hernia have not been uniformly applied.     

Long-term clinical outcome of elderly patients with reflux esophagitis: a six-month to three-year follow-up study

Although the prevalence of reflux esophagitis is known to increase with age, data on the long-term outcome of esophagitis in elderly patients are scarce. We sought to evaluate the clinical outcome of elderly patients with esophagitis 6 months to 3 years after diagnosis and to identify specific prognostic indicators of a poor outcome. This was a long-term (6 months to 3 years) follow-up study. Patients older than 65 years of age diagnosed as having reflux esophagitis healed after acute treatment (2 to 4 months) were included in the study. Clinical examinations and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were performed every 6 months for the first year and annually thereafter. After healing, no therapy was prescribed; in the event of symptom recurrence, a maintenance therapy consisting either of H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors (PPI) was prescribed. At baseline and during follow-up, the following clinical parameters were recorded: gender, age, the presence of symptoms (heartburn, acid regurgitation, epigastric/chest pain), type and dose of the maintenance therapy, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug use; gastric Helicobacter pylori infection, diagnosis of hiatal hernia, and/or Barrett's esophagus. The chi-square test, the Kaplan-Meier test, and Cox's proportional hazards regression analysis were used for statistical analyses. Included in the final analysis were 138 patients (M/F, 81/57; mean age, 79.7 years; range, 66-97). The numbers of patients in need of maintenance therapy were 47 of 69 (68.1%) after 6 months, 29 of 58 (50%) after 12 months, 17 of 39 (43.6%) after 24 months, and 12 of 26 (46.1%) after 36 months of follow-up. A significantly higher esophagitis relapse rate was found in patients not treated compared with subjects who were in maintenance therapy: 59% versus 8.5% (P <.0001) at 6 months, 65.5% versus 20.7% at 12 months (P <.002), 63.6% versus 11.7% at 24 months (P =.003), and 57.1% versus 8.3% at 36 months (P =.02). No significant difference in relapse rate was found in patients treated with H2 blockers versus PPIs (21.7% versus 10%). The Cox model demonstrated that no maintenance treatment (P =.00001), the presence of typical symptoms (P =.00001), the presence of hiatal hernia (P =.03), and a high severity grade of esophagitis at baseline (P =.009) were risk factors for relapse of esophagitis. In elderly subjects, esophagitis relapse occurs in a high percentage of cases, particularly in patients not treated with antisecretory drugs. The presence of typical symptoms, hiatal hernia, and a severe grade of esophagitis are risk factors for relapse. The most effective measure for minimizing the occurrence of relapse is a maintenance therapy with antisecretory drugs.     

Management of gastroesophageal reflux disease

The primary treatment goals in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease are relief of symptoms, prevention of symptom relapse, healing of erosive esophagitis, and prevention of complications of esophagitis. In patients with reflux esophagitis, treatment is directed at acid suppression through the use of lifestyle modifications (e.g., elevating the head of the bed, modifying the size and composition of meals) and pharmacologic agents (a histamine H2-receptor antagonist [H2RA] taken on demand or a proton pump inhibitor IPPI] taken 30 to 60 minutes before the first meal of the day). The preferred empiric approach is step-up therapy (treat initially with an H2RA for eight weeks; if symptoms do not improve, change to a PPI) or step-down therapy (treat initially with a PPI; then titrate to the lowest effective medication type and dosage). In patients with erosive esophagitis identified on endoscopy, a PPI is the initial treatment of choice. Diagnostic testing should be reserved for patients who exhibit warning signs (i.e., weight loss, dysphagia, gastrointestinal bleeding) and patients who are at risk for complications of esophagitis (i.e., esophageal stricture formation, Barrett's esophagus, adenocarcinoma). Antireflux surgery, including open and laparoscopic versions of Nissen fundoplication, is an alternative treatment in patients who have chronic reflux with recalcitrant symptoms. Newer endoscopic modalities, including the Stretta and endocinch procedures, are less invasive and have fewer complications than antireflux surgery, but response rates are lower.     

Reflux esophagitis after H. pylori eradication

We have reported that prevalence of H. pylori infection and grade of atrophic gastritis were significantly lower, while acid secretion was significantly greater in the patients with reflux esophagitis than those without it. We have also reported that increased gastric acid secretion after H. pylori eradication may explain a reason for developing reflux esophagitis. Therefore, H. pylori is considered to be a protective factor for the development of reflux esophagitis via the induction of gastric hyposecretion. Conversely, according to recent large population-based studies, no evidence was obtained that supports the increased frequency of heartburn symptoms or reflux oesophagitis after the eradication of H. pylori. One reason for the discrepancy may be the difference in the evaluation of gastro-esophageal reflux, another reason may be the difference in acid secretion before the clearance of H. pylori in individual subjects, because the effects of H. pylori on acid secretion vary from patient to patient.