A randomized open-label trial of on-demand rabeprazole vs ranitidine for patients with non-erosive reflux disease

AIM: To compare the efficacy of the proton-pump inhibitor, rabeprazole, with that of the H₂-receptor antagonist, ranitidine, as on-demand therapy for relieving symptoms associated with non-erosive reflux disease (NERD).METHODS: This is a single center, prospective, randomized, open-label trial of on-demand therapy with rabeprazole (group A) vs ranitidine (group B) for 4 wk. Eighty-three patients who presented to the American University of Beirut Medical Center with persistent gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and a normal upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were eligible for the study. Patients in group A (n = 44) were allowed a maximum rabeprazole dose of 20 mg twice daily, while those in group B (n = 39) were allowed a maximum ranitidine dose of 300 mg twice daily. Efficacy was assessed by patient evaluation of global symptom relief, scores of the SF-36 quality of life (QoL) questionnaires, total number of pills used, and number of medication-free days.RESULTS: Among the 83 patients who were enrolled in the study, 76 patients (40 in the rabeprazole group and 36 in the ranitidine group) completed the 4-wk trial. Baseline characteristics were comparable between both groups. After 4 wk, there was no significant difference in the subjective global symptom relief between the rabeprazole and the ranitidine groups (71.4% vs 65.4%, respectively; P = 0.9). There were no statistically significant differences between mean cumulative scores of the SF-36 QoL questionnaire for the two study groups (rabeprazole 22.40 ± 27.53 vs ranitidine 17.28 ± 37.06; P = 0.582). There was no significant difference in the mean number of pills used (rabeprazole 35.70 ± 29.75 vs ranitidine 32.86 ± 26.98; P = 0.66). There was also no statistically significant difference in the mean number of medication-free days between both groups.CONCLUSION: Rabeprazole has a comparable efficacy compared to ranitidine when given on-demand for the treatment of NERD. Both medications were associated with improved quality of life.     

Reflux profile of Chinese gastroesophageal reflux disease patients with combined multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring

Background and Aims:  To investigate the reflux profile of Chinese gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients with the aid of combined multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (MII-pH) monitoring technique.
Methods:  Consecutive patients presented with GERD symptoms were enrolled to erosive esophagitis (EE) group, non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) group and functional heartburn (FH) group after upper endoscopy, combined MII-pH monitoring and rabeprazole test. Another 20 healthy controls (HC) were recruited.
Results:  Sixty-four GERD patients (EE:20, NERD:22, FH:22, HC:20) were enrolled. There were more episodes of liquid reflux and proximal reflux in EE and NERD groups than that in FH and HC groups ( P  < 0.05). Patients in FH and HC groups had higher proportion of mixed reflux ( P  = 0.000). The percentage of acid reflux in EE and NERD was much higher, while there was a higher percentage of weakly acidic reflux in FH and HC ( P  = 0.000). No significant difference was found in MII-pH parameters between groups with and without response to rabeprazole test except recumbent percentage time of esophageal pH value below 4 and episodes of proximal reflux.
Conclusion:  Erosive esophagitis and NERD patients had more liquid and proximal reflux episodes than FH patients and healthy controls. Acid and liquid reflux was predominant in the former two groups, while weakly acidic and mixed reflux was predominant in the latter two groups.     

Barrett食管、反流性食管炎和非糜烂性胃食管反流病的反流物特点

目的应用食管24 h pH-阻抗(MII-pH)等检查方法,分析具有胃食管反流病(GERD)典型症状、并且食管MII-pH检查结果异常的GERD患者,比较分析其各亚型,即Barrett食管(BE)、反流性食管炎(RE)和非糜烂性胃食管反流病(NERD)患者的胃食管反流特点。 方法入选具有典型胃食管反流症状(烧心/反流),并且食管24 h MII-pH检查结果异常的GERD患者,根据内镜检查结果分为BE、RE、NERD三组,收集患者24 h的食管pH-阻抗信息,应用SPSS16.0统计软件进行组间Mann Whitney检验、多因素方差分析,P< 0.05认为具有统计学差异。 结果共入组103例具有典型反流症状且MII-pH监测阳性的GERD患者,其中有15例BE患者、32例RE患者、56例NERD患者。三组患者的平均年龄、性别构成、以及BMI无显著差异性。将三组患者的各项胃食管反流指标数值进行Mann-Whitney检验,显示RE、BE患者的DeMeester评分、pH<4反流时间百分比、长反流周期数显著高于NERD患者,具有显著性差异。BE患者的反流周期数显著多于RE和NERD患者,具有显著性差异。阻抗相关指标在三组患者之间均没有统计学差异。 结论与NERD相比,酸反流对于RE和BE具有更重要的致病意义。     

Irsogladine maleate and rabeprazole in non-erosive reflux disease: A double-blind,placebo-controlled study

AIM:To evaluate the efficacy of adding irsogladine maleate(IM) to proton-pump inhibitor(PPI) therapy in non-erosive reflux disease(NERD) treatment.METHODS:One hundred patients with NERD were recruited and randomized to receive rabeprazole plus IM(group I) or rabeprazole plus placebo(group P).The efficacy of the treatment was assessed using the Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease(FSSG) and the short form(SF)-36 quality of life questionnaires after four weeks of treatment.We also assessed whether patients with NERD with minimal changes(grade M) had different responses to the therapies compared with patients who did not have minimal changes(grade N).RESULTS:Group I and group P showed significant improvements in their FSSG scores after the treatment(from 17.9 ± 7.9 to 9.0 ± 7.6, and from 17.7 ± 7.3 to 11.2 ± 7.9, respectively, P = 0.0001), but there was no statistically significant difference between the FSSG scores in group I and those in group P.Subgroup analysis showed that significant improvements in the FSSG scores occurred in the patients in group I who had NERD grade N(modified Los Angeles classification)(7.8 ± 7.4 vs 12.5 ± 9.8, P = 0.041).The SF-36 scores for patients with NERD grade N who had received IM and rabeprazole were significantly improved in relation to their vitality and mental health scores.CONCLUSION:The addition of IM to rabeprazole significantly improves gastroesophageal reflux diseasesymptoms and the quality of the lives of patients with NERD grade N.     

胃食管反流病的症状评分及内镜下表现的对照研究

目的探讨用胃食管反流病（GERD）的症状评分及内镜下表现的对照研究来预测和评估是否有GERD及其程度。方法对500例有胃食管反流症状的患者按症状频率、病期与程度为评分标准进行症状评分，内镜检查是否有反流性食管炎（RE）并分级。比较症状评分与内镜分级的相关性，分析症状评分对GERD的评估价值。200例无症状体检者作为阴性对照。结果GERD症状评分与RE内镜分级呈正相关（r=0．560，P〈0．01）。RE组患者的症状评分高于非糜烂性反流病（NERD）组，RE组症状评分≥8分者有81．70％，NERD组为59．35％（P〈0．05）；RE患者烧心的程度及发作频率、反酸的发作频率与病期重于NERD。GERD组与无反流症状组内镜检查结果比较亦有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论症状评分是诊断GERD的一个良好的筛选项目。     

Anxiety and depression in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease and their effect on quality of life

AIM: To explore the role of psychological factors in gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD) and their effect on quality of life(Qo L) of GERD patients.METHODS: A total of 279 consecutive patients with typical symptoms and 100 healthy controls were enrolled in the study.All of the participants wereevaluated with the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale(ZSAS), the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale(ZSDS) and the SF-36 questionnaire.The scores for anxiety, depression and Qo L of the two groups were analyzed.The correlation between psychological factors and Qo L was also analyzed.RESULTS: Compared with healthy controls(34.70 ± 8.00), the scores of ZSAS in the non-erosive reflux disease( N E R D) group(48.27±10.34) and the reflux esophagitis(RE) group(45.38 ± 10.27) were significantly higher(P 0.001).The mean ZSAS score of the NERD group was significantly higher than that of the RE group(P = 0.01).Compared with healthy controls(37.61 ± 8.44), the mean ZSDS scores were significantly higher in the NERD group(49.65 ± 11.09, P 0.001) and the RE group(46.76 ± 11.83, P 0.001).All dimensions of the SF-36 form were negatively correlated with the SAS and SDS scores in patients with NERD and RE(P 0.05).According to the S F- 3 6 form, vitality, mentalhealth and social functioning were significantly correlated with symptoms of depression in patients with NERD and RE.General health was obviously affected by symptoms of depression in patients with NERD(P 0.05).CONCLUSION: Anxiety and depression may play an important role in the occurrence of GERD and especially that of NERD.The Qo L of patients with GERD is reduced by anxiety and depression.     

Acid and Non-Acid Reflux Patterns in Patients with Erosive Esophagitis and Non-Erosive Reflux Disease (NERD): A Study Using Intraluminal Impedance Monitoring

Background Non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) and erosive esophagitis (EE) are the most common phenotypic presentations of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Aim To assess acid and non-acid reflux patterns in patients with EE and NERD using combined esophageal pH-impedance monitoring. Methods A total of 26 GERD patients off acid-suppressive medication and ten healthy volunteers (HV) underwent upper endoscopy and 24-h pH-impedance monitoring. Analysis of the pH-impedance signals included total reflux time, number of reflux episodes according to gas–liquid composition, and pH (acid, non-acid). Results EE was identified in 13 patients and NERD in 13 patients. Pathologic acid reflux was found in 92.3 and 69.2% of patients with EE and NERD, respectively (P = 0.15). When compared to HV, EE patients and NERD patients showed a higher incidence of acid (P = 0.002 and P < 0.001, EE vs. HV and NERD vs. HV, respectively) and non-acid reflux episodes (P = 0.03 and P = 0.001, EE vs. HV and NERD vs. HV, respectively). Mean reflux times, as assessed by both pH-metry and impedance monitoring, and incidence of acid and non-acid reflux episodes were similar in EE and NERD patients. In the supine position, however, EE patients showed a higher incidence of acid (P = 0.048) and liquid reflux episodes (P = 0.07). Conclusion Whereas EE patients have more acid reflux episodes in the supine position than NERD patients, patients with EE and NERD have similar non-acid reflux patterns. This observation lends support to the notion that non-acid reflux is less damaging to the esophageal mucosa than acid reflux.     

Impact of body mass index and gender on quality of life in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease

AIM: To investigate the symptom presentation and quality of life in obese Chinese patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).METHODS: Data from patients diagnosed with GERD according to the Montreal definition, were collected between January 2009 to March 2010. The enrolled patients were assigned to the normal [body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m²], overweight (25-30 kg/m²), and obese (BMI > 30 kg/m²) groups. General demographic data, endoscopic findings, and quality of life of the three groups of patients were analyzed and compared.RESULTS: Among the 173 enrolled patients, 102, 56 and 15 patients were classified in the normal, overweight, and obese, respectively. There was significantly more erosive esophagitis (73.3% vs 64.3% vs 39.2%, P = 0.002), hiatal hernia (60% vs 33.9% vs 16.7%, P = 0.001), and males (73.3% vs 73.2% vs 32.4%, P = 0.001) in the obese cases. The severity and frequency of heartburn, not acid regurgitation, was positively correlated with BMI, with a significant association in men, but not in women. Obese patients were prone to have low quality of life scores, with obese women having the lowest scores for mental health.CONCLUSION: In patients with GERD, obese men had the most severe endoscopic and clinical presentation. Obese women had the poorest mental health.     

Incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Uygur and Han Chinese adults in Urumqi

AIM:To investigate the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD) and its related risk factors in Uygur and Han Chinese adult in Urumqi,China.METHODS:A population-based cross-sectional survey was undertaken in a total of 972 Uygur(684 male and 288 female) aged from 24 to 61 and 1023 Han Chinese(752 male and 271 female) aged from 23 to 63 years.All participants were recruited from the residents who visited hospital for health examination from November 2011 to May 2012.Each participant signed an informed consent and completed a GERD questionnaire(GerdQ) and a lifestyle-food frequency questionnaire survey.Participants whose Gerd Q score was ≥ 8 and met one of the following requirements would be enrolled into this research:(1) being diagnosed with erosive esophagitis(EE) or Barrett's esophagus(BE) by endoscopy;(2) negative manifestation under endoscopy(non-erosive reflux disease,NERD) with abnormal acid reflux revealed by 24-h esophageal pH monitoring;and(3) suffering from typical heartburn and regurgitation with positive result of proton pump inhibitor test.RESULTS:According to Gerd Q scoring criteria,340 cases of Uygur and 286 cases of Han Chinese were defined as GERD.GERD incidence in Uygur was significantly higher than in Han Chinese(35% vs 28%,χ2 = 11.09,P 0.005),Gerd Q score in Uygur was higher than in Han Chinese(7.85 ± 3.1 vs 7.15 ± 2.9,P 0.005),and Gerd Q total score in Uygur male was higher than in female(8.15 ± 2.8 vs 6.85 ± 2.5,P 0.005).According to normalized methods,304(31%) cases of Uygur were diagnosed with GERD,including 89 cases of EE,185 cases of NERD and 30 cases of BE;256(25%) cases of Han Chinese were diagnosed with GERD,including 90 cases of EE,140 cases of NERD and 26 cases of BE.GERD incidence in Uygur was significantly higher than in Han Chinese(31% vs 25%,χ2 = 9.34,P 0.005) while the incidences were higher in males of both groups than in females(26% vs 5% in Uygur,χ2 = 35.95,P 0.005,and 19.8% vs 5.2% in Han,χ2 = 5.48,P 0.025).GERD incidence in Uygur male was higher than in Han Chinese male(26% vs 19.8%,χ2 = 16.51,P 0.005),and incidence of NERD in Uygur was higher than in Han Chinese(χ2 = 10.06,P 0.005).Occupation(r = 0.623),gender(r = 0.839),smoking(r = 0.322),strong tea(r = 0.658),alcohol drinking(r = 0.696),meat-based diet(mainly meat)(r = 0.676) and body mass index(BMI)(r = 0.567) were linearly correlated with GERD in Uygur(r = 0.833,P = 0.000);while gender(r = 0.957),age(r = 0.016),occupation(r = 0.482),strong tea(r = 1.124),alcohol drinking(r = 0.558),meat diet(r = 0.591) and BMI(r = 0.246) were linearly correlated with GERD in Han Chinese(r = 0.786,P = 0.01).There was no significant difference between Gerd Q scoring and three normalized methods for the diagnosis of GERD.CONCLUSION:GERD is highly prevalent in adult in Urumqi,especially in Uygur.Male,civil servant,smoking,strong tea,alcohol drinking,meat diet and BMI are risk factors correlated to GERD.     

Characteristics of patients with erosive and nonerosive GERD in high-Helicobacter-pylori prevalence region

It is still not known whether there are differences between erosive and nonerosive GERD. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection, and other differences between erosive and nonerosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (NERD) patients. One-hundred and four consecutive GERD patients (mean age: 41.6 +/- 12.3 years) were interviewed, endoscoped and tested for HP. Erosive GERD was defined according to the Los Angeles classification. Patients who had no erosions in the esophagus but complained of heartburn or/and acid regurgitation at least twice a week and for whom these symptoms had a negative impact on daily activities were considered to be NERD patients. Erosive GERD was identified in 53 (51%) patients (mean age: 41.0 +/- 12.7 years) and NERD in 51 (49.0%) patients (mean age: 42.2 +/- 11.9 years). HP infection was found in 32 (60.4%) erosive GERD patients, and 41 (80.4%) NERD patients, P < 0.05. Multivariate analysis revealed that there were two statistically significant prediction factors for NERD: female sex with odds ratio (OR) of 6.34 (95% CI: 2.41-16.64; P = 0.0002) and HP infection with odds ratio (OR) of 3.28 (95% CI: 1.26-8.58; P = 0.015). The presence of HP and female sex are found to be statistically significant predictors of NERD.     

Measuring symptom distress and health-related quality of life in clinical trials of gastroesophageal reflux disease treatment: further validation of the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptom Assessment Scale (GSAS)

This study reports the reliability and validity of the distress subscale of the GERD Symptom Assessment Scale (GSAS) and the acute SF-36 Health Survey in a clinical trial setting. Patients with moderately severe GERD completed the GSAS and SF-36 at baseline and four weeks following treatment. The age (mean ± sd) of the 187 patients was 45.5 ± 11.1 years and most were female (63%) and Caucasian (78%). All scales met the 0.70 reliability criterion except for the SF-36 bodily pain scale. Mean baseline GSAS scores were significantly (P < 0.001) poorer by 10–17% among patients reporting more severe levels of all symptoms. Mean baseline SF-36 physical component summary scores were significantly (P < 0.02) poorer among patients reporting more severe levels of regurgitation, early satiety, bloating, and nausea. Patients reporting complete and satisfactory heartburn relief reported improvements in GSAS scores that were 13% and 10% greater, respectively, than patients who did not experience these levels of relief (P < 0.001). In conclusion, the GSAS and SF-36 scales were reliable and valid measures in this clinical trial. Differences of 10% in GSAS distress scores correspond to differences in symptom severity at a point in time and to changes in symptom severity over time. The SF-36 was not as useful in detecting differences in symptom severity over time.     

不同亚型胃食管反流病食管黏膜下层炎症因子变化特点研究

目的分析3种亚型胃食管反流病患者与对照组食管黏膜的组织变化和局部IL-4、IL- 6表达,探讨Th2型炎症因子在胃食管反流病发生发展中的作用。 方法选取2016年12月至2017年12月新疆维吾尔自治区人民医院69例患者临床资料,根据Gerd Q评分和内镜结果将所有入选研究者分为Barrett食管（BE）、糜烂性食管炎（EE）、非糜烂性反流病（NERD）和对照4组,利用食管24 h pH监测法评价胃食管反流病（GERD）患者食管酸暴露及反流特点;通过食管组织HE染色进行组织病理学评分,使用免疫组化法和酶联免疫吸附剂测定法检测食管局部及血清中IL-4、IL-6表达情况。 结果食管24 h pH监测结果中,3亚组间DeMeester指数、弱酸反流次数、反流总事件数比较,差异均无统计学意义（P均>0.05）,NERD组酸反流次数较其余2组低,差异有统计学意义（P均<0.05）;4组样本食管黏膜组织病理学评分中发现,BE组、EE组与其余2组相比均明显升高,差异有统计学意义（P均<0.05）,BE组与EE组评分之间亦有显著差异（P<0.05）,NERD组与对照组间差异不明显;IL-4在4组食管标本中均有不同程度表达,但4组间IL-4阳性率的比较并无显著差异（P均>0.05）;IL-6在NERD组和对照组表达量较低甚至不表达,EE组IL-6阳性率明显高于对照组（P<0.05 ）,但与NERD组间无显著差异,BE组阳性率与对照组和NERD组之间均有明显差异（P均<0.05 ）。 结论GERD食管黏膜上皮组织学炎症等级随食管炎的恶化而升高,其中NERD的食管组织学已出现炎性化趋势,但尚不足以与正常食管区别;IL-4在不同亚型GERD食管黏膜组织中的表达差异不及IL-6显著。     

Health-related quality of life and severity of symptoms in patients with Barrett's esophagus and gastroesophageal reflux disease patients without Barrett's esophagus

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were: 1) to compare the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of patients with Barrett's esophagus (BE) to that of patients with GERD who did not have BE; 2) to compare HRQL of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients to that of normative data for the US general population; and 3) to examine the impact of GERD symptom frequency and severity on HRQL. METHODS: The SF-36 and a validated GERD questionnaire were administered to 107 patients with biopsy-proven BE and to 104 patients with GERD but no BE by endoscopy. Frequent symptoms were defined as symptoms that occurred at least once weekly. Severity of symptoms was rated on a scale from 1 to 4 (mild to very severe). RESULTS: In all, 85% of the GERD patients and 82% of BE patients completed the questionnaires. There was no difference in the scores of the eight subscales of the SF-36 between BE patients and those with GERD but without BE (p > 0.05). However, both groups scored below average on all subscales of the SF-36 compared to published US norms for an age- and gender-matched group. Using multivariable linear regression, the social functioning subscale of the SF-36 correlated with the presence of heartburn or acid regurgitation, severity of acid regurgitation, frequency of heartburn, frequency of acid regurgitation, and number of comorbidities. Similarly, the physical functioning subscale correlated with age, frequency of heartburn, and number of comorbidities. The bodily pain subscale correlated with the frequency of heartburn and number of comorbidities. The bodily pain subscale correlated with the frequency of heartburn and the severity of dysphagia, whereas the role emotional subscale correlated with the frequency of heartburn and the presence of dysphagia. CONCLUSIONS: Although there were no differences in HRQL between BE and GERD patients, both groups scored below average on the subscales of the SF-36 compared to normal controls. GERD symptom frequency and severity were associated with bodily pain and with impaired social, emotional, and physical functioning, suggesting a profound impact on daily living.     

Investigation of relationships among gastroesophageal reflux disease subtypes using narrow band imaging magnifying endoscopy

AIM:To investigate the relationships among subtypes of gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD)using narrow band imaging(NBI)magnifying endoscopy.METHODS:A reflux disease questionnaire was used to screen 120 patients representing the three subtypes of GERD(n=40 for each subtypes):nonerosive reflux disease(NERD),reflux esophagitis(RE)and Barrett’s esophagus(BE).NBI magnifying endoscopic procedure was performed on the patients as well as on 40 healthy controls.The demographic and clinical characteristics,and NBI magnifying endoscopic features,were recorded and compared among the groups.Targeted biopsy and histopathological examination were conducted if there were any abnormalities.SPSS 18.0 software was used for all statistical analysis.RESULTS:Compared with healthy controls,a significantly higher proportion of GERD patients had increased number of intrapapillary capillary loops(IPCLs)(78.3%vs 20%,P<0.05),presence of microerosions(41.7%vs 0%,P<0.05),and a non-round pit pattern below the squamocolumnar junction(88.3%vs 30%,P<0.05).The maximum(228±4.8 vs 144±4.7,P<0.05),minimum(171±3.8 vs 103±4.4,P<0.05),and average(199±3.9 vs 119±3.9,P<0.05)numbers of IPCLs/field were also significantly greater in GERD patients.However,comparison among groups of the three subtypes showed no significant differences or any linear trend,except that microerosions were present in 60%of the RE patients,but in only 35%and 30%of the NERD and BE patients,respectively(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Patients with GERD,irrespective of subtype,have similar micro changes in the distal esophagus.The three forms of the disease are probably independent of each other.     

How many cases of laryngopharyngeal reflux suspected by laryngoscopy are gastroesophageal reflux disease-related?

AIM: To investigate the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in patients with a laryngoscopic diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).METHODS: Between May 2011 and October 2011, 41 consecutive patients with laryngopharyngeal symptoms (LPS) and laryngoscopic diagnosis of LPR were empirically treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for at least 8 wk, and the therapeutic outcome was assessed through validated questionnaires (GERD impact scale, GIS; visual analogue scale, VAS). LPR diagnosis was performed by ear, nose and throat specialists using the reflux finding score (RFS) and reflux symptom index (RSI). After a 16-d wash-out from PPIs, all patients underwent an upper endoscopy, stationary esophageal manometry, 24-h multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH (MII-pH) esophageal monitoring. A positive correlation between LPR diagnosis and GERD was supposed based on the presence of esophagitis (ERD), pathological acid exposure time (AET) in the absence of esophageal erosions (NERD), and a positive correlation between symptoms and refluxes (hypersensitive esophagus, HE).RESULTS: The male/female ratio was 0.52 (14/27), the mean age ± SD was 51.5 ± 12.7 years, and the mean body mass index was 25.7 ± 3.4 kg/m². All subjects reported one or more LPS. Twenty-five out of 41 patients also had typical GERD symptoms (heartburn and/or regurgitation). The most frequent laryngoscopic findings were posterior laryngeal hyperemia (38/41), linear indentation in the medial edge of the vocal fold (31/41), vocal fold nodules (6/41) and diffuse infraglottic oedema (25/41). The GIS analysis showed that 10/41 patients reported symptom relief with PPI therapy (P < 0.05); conversely, 23/41 did not report any clinical improvement. At the same time, the VAS analysis showed a significant reduction in typical GERD symptoms after PPI therapy (P < 0.001). A significant reduction in LPS symptoms. On the other hand, such result was not recorded for LPS. Esophagitis was detected in 2/41 patients, and ineffective esophageal motility was found in 3/41 patients. The MII-pH analysis showed an abnormal AET in 5/41 patients (2 ERD and 3 NERD); 11/41 patients had a normal AET and a positive association between symptoms and refluxes (HE), and 25/41 patients had a normal AET and a negative association between symptoms and refluxes (no GERD patients). It is noteworthy that HE patients had a positive association with typical GERD-related symptoms. Gas refluxes were found more frequently in patients with globus (29.7 ± 3.6) and hoarseness (21.5 ± 7.4) than in patients with heartburn or regurgitation (7.8 ± 6.2). Gas refluxes were positively associated with extra-esophageal symptoms (P < 0.05). Overall, no differences were found among the three groups of patients in terms of the frequency of laryngeal signs. The proximal reflux was abnormal in patients with ERD/NERD only. The differences observed by means of MII-pH analysis among the three subgroups of patients (ERD/NERD, HE, no GERD) were not demonstrated with the RSI and RFS. Moreover, only the number of gas refluxes was found to have a significant association with the RFS (P = 0.028 and P = 0.026, nominal and numerical correlation, respectively).CONCLUSION: MII-pH analysis confirmed GERD diagnosis in less than 40% of patients with previous diagnosis of LPR, most likely because of the low specificity of the laryngoscopic findings.     

胃食管反流病中非酸反流的比例及其与烧心的关系

目的 应用食管联合阻抗-pH监测技术探讨胃食管反流病中非酸反流的比例及其与烧心的相关程度.方法 选取消化专科门诊以烧心为主诉的连续病例,通过上消化道内镜将上述患者分为糜烂性食管炎(EE)组和非糜烂性反流病(NERD)组,并进一步通过24 h食管多通道腔内阻抗-pH监测及雷贝拉唑试验性治疗予以确诊.比较两组的联合阻抗-pH监测指标.结果 EE组36例,NERD组62例.两组患者酸反流次数、酸反流时间百分比差异有统计学意义(P值分别=0.001和0.002).EE组和NERD组中非酸反流次数的百分比分别为37.3%(663/1777)和44.3%(1220/2754),差异有统计学意义(x=21.723,P=0.000).EE组酸反流烧心症状指数阳性、非酸反流烧心症状指数阳性及总反流烧心症状指数阳性的百分比分别为36.1%(13/36)、19.4%(7/36)和55.6%(20/36),NERD组则为27.4%(17/62)、6.4%(4/62)和33.8%(21/62).结论 EE组和NERD组患者中非酸反流次数的比例分别为37.3%及44.3%,非酸反流与烧心关系密切.     

反流性食管炎和非糜烂性反流病患者酸暴露与食管压力监测结果分析

目的通过对胃食管反流病（GERD）患者的酸暴露情况、食管下括约肌（LES）压力、食管体部压力、幽门螺杆菌（Hp）感染结果的比较，探讨反流性食管炎（RE）、非糜烂性反流病（NERD）的不同状况，为临床治疗提供科学依据。方法2001年10月至2005年7月，具有反流症状（烧心、反酸）的患者80例，胃镜检出RE31例，NERD45例，Barrett食管（BE）4例。行食管24hpH动态监测，并以De—Meester积分均值将GERD分为轻、中、重度，检测LES、食管体部即LES上方5cm、7cm、13cm（简记为L5、L7、L12）和食管上括约肌（UES）下方1cm、6cm、8cm（简记为U1、U6、U8）压力指标，并进行Hp感染的检查。结果RE、NERD两组患者食管24hpH酸暴露各指标的差异，无统计学意义（P〉0．05），De-Meester积分均值亦无统计学意义（P〉0．05）；轻、中、重度GERD患者食管24hpH监测指标具有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。RE、NERD两组患者LES压力、食管体部的L5、L7、L12、U6和u8压力监测指标无统计学意义（P〉0．05），只有RE组U1压力低于NERD组，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）；轻、中、重度GERD患者LES压力和食管体部的压力监测指标差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。RE和NERD组患者Hp感染率分别为16．1％和22．2％，其差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05），OR为1．309，95％C10．364～4．705。结论RE和NERD患者酸暴露、LES压力和食管体部压力等相应指标无明显差异；NERD在发病机制中，酸反流的强弱没有起到决定性作用。     

Endoluminal gastroplication for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease: a 2-year prospective pilot study from Taiwan

Background and Aim: Endoluminal gastroplication (ELGP) offers a minimally invasive option for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in Western countries. However, long‐term outcomes of ELGP in Asian populations have not been investigated. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the long‐term benefits of ELGP in Asian patients with GERD. Methods: Taiwanese patients diagnosed with GERD were enrolled and had the procedure performed with EndoCinch. The assessment included symptom scoring, validated GERD questionnaires, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, esophageal manometry and 24‐h pH monitoring before and after the procedure over a 2‐year period. Results: Twenty‐one consecutive patients were recruited and underwent ELGP. Patients reported improved heartburn symptom score (mean 64.0 vs 21.1, P < 0.001), regurgitation frequency score (mean 2.4 vs 1.3, P < 0.001), and GERD health‐related quality of life (mean 23.1 vs 10.1, P < 0.001) at 24 months. The mean total time of pH < 4 reduced from 121.7 min to 67.1 min (P = 0.008) and mean DeMeester score reduced from 32.9 to 17.6 (P = 0.011) at 3 months. Antisecretory drug discontinuation rate was 81%, 57%, 52% and 48% at 1, 6, 12 and 24 months, respectively. Of the patients who had a favorable initial response to ELGP at 1 month, 41% resumed antisecretory medications at 24 months follow‐up. All adverse events were mild and transient. Conclusions: Endoluminal gastroplication is a safe and modestly effective endotherapy for patients with GERD. It significantly improved symptoms in an Asian population. Approximately one in two patients continues to be off medication at 24 months follow‐up. However, the long‐term efficacy and durability are still to be determined.     

Japanese apricot improves symptoms of gastrointestinal dysmotility associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease

AIM: To investigate the effects of Japanese apricot(JA) consumption on gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD)-related symptoms.METHODS: Participants included individuals living in Minabe-cho,a well-known JA-growing region,who received specific medical check-ups by the local community health service in 2010.GERD-related symptoms were examined in 1303 Japanese individuals using a validated questionnaire,the Frequency Scale for Symptoms of GERD(FSSG),which consists of 7 questions associated with acid reflux symptoms and 5 questions asking about gastrointestinal dysmotility symptoms.Each question was answered using a 4-point scale,with higher scores indicating more severe GERDrelated symptoms.Subjects were divided into two groups according to their intake of dried and pickled JA: daily intake(≥ 1 JA daily)(392 subjects) and none oroccasional intake( 1 JA daily)(911 subjects).FSSG scores were compared between subjects who consumed JA daily and those who did not.Next,subjects were stratified by age,gender and Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori) status for subanalyses.RESULTS: Those who ate JA daily were significantly older than those who did not(60.6 ± 10.5 years vs 56.0 ± 11.0 years,P 0.001).Total FSSG scores were significantly lower in subjects with daily JA intake than in those with none or only occasional intake(2.13 ± 3.14 vs 2.70 ± 3.82,P = 0.005).In particular,subjects who consumed JA daily showed significantly improved FSSG dysmotility scores compared with subjects who did not(1.05 ± 1.58 vs 1.46 ± 2.11,P 0.001).In contrast,the FSSG reflux score did not differ between subjects with and without daily intake of JA(1.08 ± 1.90 vs 1.24 ± 2.11,P = 0.177).Subanalysis indicated that improvement in dysmotility by JA intake was specifically observed in non-elderly(1.24 ± 1.68 vs 1.62 ± 2.22,P = 0.005) and H.pylori-negative subjects(0.99 ± 1.58 vs 1.57 ± 2.06,P 0.001).GERD patients(total FSSG score ≥ 8) were less frequently observed among subjects with daily intake of JA as compared to those without daily intake of JA(6.1% vs 9.7%,P = 0.040).CONCLUSION: Daily JA intake may improve digestive dysmotility symptoms,resulting in relief of GERD symptoms.The effect is more obvious in non-elderly and H.pylori-negative subjects.Umeboshi     

Endoscopic reflux esophagitis in patients with upper abdominal pain-predominant dyspepsia

BACKGROUND: Reflux symptom assessment had reliable accuracy in the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, patients may recognize heartburn or regurgitation as dyspepsia because of inaccurate understanding or atypical presentation. The aim of the present study was to estimate endoscopic reflux esophagitis in patients with upper abdominal pain as a predominant symptom in the absence of heartburn or regurgitation. METHODS: Two hundred and sixty-three consecutive patients presenting dyspepsia without heartburn or regurgitation were enrolled. Patients with heartburn or regurgitation were excluded using the symptom interviewer method. Dyspepsia was categorized into pain-predominant or dysmotility-predominant groups according to the Rome II proposal. Endoscopic reflux esophagitis was graded using the Los Angeles classification. RESULTS: One hundred and five patients were included in the pain-predominant group and 119 in the dysmotility-predominant group. Reflux esophagitis was found in 18.8% (42/224) of all dyspeptic patients. Grade A esophagitis was noted in 27.6% (29/105) of the pain-predominant group and in 7.6% (9/119) of the dysmotility-predominant group. Grade B was noted in two patients in each group. A total of 29.5% (31/105) and 9.3% (11/119) had reflux esophagitis, respectively (P < 0.001). Comparing patients with or without reflux esophagitis, there was no difference in body mass index, smoking habit, alcohol consumption, or Helicobacter pylori infection status. CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of patients presenting dyspepsia, especially pain-predominant dyspepsia, have endoscopic reflux esophagitis. In view of GERD, pain-predominant dyspepsia should be investigated and managed differently from dysmotility-predominant dyspepsia.