A double-blind sham-controlled study of the effect of radiofrequency energy on symptoms and distensibility of the gastro-esophageal junction in GERD

Endoscopic Advances in the Diagnosis and Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common diseases that occurs secondary to failure of the antireflux barrier system, resulting in the frequent and abnormal reflux of gastric contents to the esophagus. GERD is diagnosed in routine clinical practice based on the classic symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation. However, a subset of patients with atypical symptoms can pose challenges in diagnosing GERD. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is the most common initial diagnostic test used in the assessment for GERD, although half of these patients will not have any positive endoscopic findings suggestive of GERD. The advanced endoscopic techniques have improved the diagnostic yield of GERD diagnosis and its complications, such as Barrett's esophagus and early esophageal adenocarcinoma. These newer endoscopic tools can better detect subtle irregularities in the mucosa and vascular structures. The management options for GERD include lifestyle modifications, pharmacological therapy, and endoscopic and surgical interventions. The latest addition to the armamentarium is the minimally invasive endoscopic interventions in carefully selected patients, including the electrical stimulation of the LES, Antireflux mucosectomy, Radiofrequency therapy, Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication, Endoscopic Full-Thickness plication (GERDx™), and suturing devices. With the emergence of these advanced endoscopic techniques, it is crucial to understand their selection criteria, advantages, and disadvantages.

Efficacy of different endoscopic treatments for gastroesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

There are no direct comparisons across different endoscopic therapies for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This study aimed to evaluate the relative effects of different endoscopic therapies in GERD.

METHODS

Five databases were searched until August 2023 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the efficacy of endoscopic band ligation (EBL), Stretta, endoscopic fundoplication (transoral incisionless fundoplication [TIF], endoscopic full-thickness plication [EFTP], and EndoCinch plication procedure [EndoCinch, CR BARD, Billerica, Mass., USA]), or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)/sham procedure for GERD. Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 19 trials comprising 1181 patients were included. EBL (mean difference [MD], -7.75; 95% credible interval [CrI], -13.90 to -1.44), Stretta (MD, -9.86; 95% CrI, -19.05 to -0.58), and TIF (MD, -12.58; 95% CrI, -20.23 to -4.91) all significantly improved patients' health-related quality of life score with equivalent efficacy compared with PPIs. TIF and EBL achieved equivalent efficacy in reducing PPIs utility (risk ratio [RR], 0.66; 95% CrI, 0.40-1.05) and both were significantly superior to other endoscopic interventions (Stretta, EFTP, and EndoCinch). Besides, EBL and TIF also could significantly decrease the esophagitis incidence compared with PPIs (EBL [RR, 0.34; 95% CrI, 0.22-0.48] and TIF [RR, 0.38; 95% CrI, 0.15-0.88]). In terms of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, only TIF could significantly increase the LES pressure (MD, 6.53; 95% CrI, 3.65-9.40) to PPIs. In contrast, TIF was inferior to PPIs in decreasing esophageal acid exposure (MD, 2.57; 95% CrI, 0.77-4.36).

CONCLUSION

Combining the evidence, EBL and TIF may have comparable efficacy and both might be superior to Stretta, EFTP, or EndoCinch in GERD treatment.

Endoscopic Non-ablative Radiofrequency Treatment (Stretta) for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is very common in the general population and poses a large societal socio-economic burden. In this article, we review the evidence supporting non-ablative radiofrequency treatment (Stretta) for the endoscopic management of GERD and we compare it to pharmacologic and other minimally invasive and surgical interventions.

RECENT FINDINGS

Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are a key therapy for GERD. For patients without associated significant sliding hiatal hernia, who have inadequate relief of their reflux symptoms, Stretta and other endoscopic therapies, such as transoral fundoplication (TIF), may improve symptoms and GERD-related quality of life. Unfortunately, there are no recent large randomized controlled trials, and most of the evidence is based on meta-analyses and small scale, prospective and retrospective single center efforts. Comparisons of Stretta efficacy to other anti-reflux endoscopic modalities and anti-reflux surgery (ARS) are also presented. There are several endoscopic and minimally invasive modalities to manage PPI-refractory GERD acting through various mechanisms that have been found effective in managing GERD symptoms and quality of life. Among them, Stretta has the longest track record of efficacy and safety. Larger-scale and longer-term comparative efficacy trials in selected populations of patients with acid reflux with and without hiatal hernia will be needed.

Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Diagnosis and Management

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common, with increasing worldwide disease prevalence and high economic burden. A significant number of patients will remain symptomatic following an empiric proton pump inhibitor (PPI) trial. Persistent symptoms despite PPI therapy are often mislabeled as refractory GERD. For patients with no prior GERD evidence (unproven GERD), testing is performed off antisecretory therapy to identify objective evidence of pathologic reflux using criteria outlined by the Lyon consensus. In proven GERD, differentiation between refractory symptoms (persisting symptoms despite optimized antisecretory therapy) and refractory GERD (abnormal reflux metrics on ambulatory pH impedance monitoring and/or persistent erosive esophagitis on endoscopy while on optimized PPI therapy) can direct subsequent management. While refractory symptoms may arise from esophageal hypersensitivity or functional heartburn, proven refractory GERD requires personalization of the management approach, tapping from an array of non-pharmacologic, pharmacologic, endoscopic, and surgical interventions. Proper diagnosis and management of refractory GERD is critical to mitigate undesirable long-term complications such as strictures, Barrett's esophagus, and esophageal adenocarcinoma. This review outlines the diagnostic workup of patients presenting with refractory GERD symptoms, describes the distinction between unproven and proven GERD, and provides a comprehensive review of the current treatment strategies available for the management of refractory GERD.

Endoscopic radiofrequency Stretta therapy reduces proton pump inhibitor dependency and the need for anti-reflux surgery for refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Radiofrequency treatment of the gastroesophageal junction using the Stretta procedure for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is observed to improve the symptoms and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) dependence and reduce the need for anti-reflux operations. As one of the largest studies in Europe, we evaluated the clinical outcomes of Stretta in patients with medically refractory GERD.

METHODS

A tertiary UK center evaluated all patients with refractory GERD who underwent Stretta between 2014 and 2022. Patients and primary care professionals were contacted to obtain information regarding the initiation of PPI and reintervention after Stretta.

RESULTS

Of the 195 patients (median age, 55 years; 116 women [59.5%]) who underwent Stretta, PPI-free period (PFP) data were available for 144 (73.8%) patients. Overall, 66 patients (45.8%) did not receive PPI after a median follow-up of 55 months. Six patients (3.1%) underwent further interventions. The median PFP after Stretta was 41 months. There was a significant negative correlation between PFP and age (p=0.007), with no differences between sexes (p=0.96). Patients younger than 55 years of age had a longer PFP than their older counterparts (p=0.005). Younger males had a significantly longer PFP than older males (p=0.021). However, this was not observed in the female cohort (p=0.09) or between the younger men and women (p=0.66).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that Stretta is a safe and feasible option for treating refractory GERD, especially in younger patients. It prevents further anti-reflux interventions in most patients and increases the lead-time to surgery in patients with refractory GERD.

Multi-society consensus conference and guideline on the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

BACKGROUND

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common diseases in North America and globally. The aim of this guideline is to provide evidence-based recommendations regarding the most utilized and available endoscopic and surgical treatments for GERD.

METHODS

Systematic literature reviews were conducted for 4 key questions regarding the surgical and endoscopic treatments for GERD in adults: preoperative evaluation, endoscopic vs surgical or medical treatment, complete vs partial fundoplication, and treatment for obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 35 kg/m²) and concomitant GERD. Evidence-based recommendations were formulated using the GRADE methodology by subject experts. Recommendations for future research were also proposed.

RESULTS

The consensus provided 13 recommendations. Through the development of these evidence-based recommendations, an algorithm was proposed for aid in the treatment of GERD. Patients with typical symptoms should undergo upper endoscopy, manometry, and pH-testing; additional testing may be required for patients with atypical or extra-esophageal symptoms. Patients with normal or abnormal findings on manometry should consider undergoing partial fundoplication. Magnetic sphincter augmentation or fundoplication are appropriate surgical procedures for adults with GERD. For patients who wish to avoid surgery, the Stretta procedure and transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF 2.0) were found to have better outcomes than proton pump inhibitors alone. Patients with concomitant obesity were recommended to undergo either gastric bypass or fundoplication, although patients with severe comorbid disease or BMI > 50 should undergo Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for the additional benefits that follow weight loss.

CONCLUSION

Using the recommendations an algorithm was developed by this panel, so that physicians may better counsel their patients with GERD. There are certain patient factors that have been excluded from included studies/trials, and so these recommendations should not replace surgeon-patient decision making. Engaging in the identified research areas may improve future care for GERD patients.

Role of Endoscopy in Motility Disorders of Upper Gastrointestinal Tract

Gastrointestinal motility disorders have a wide range of symptoms and affect patients' quality of life. With the advancement of endoscopy, the diagnostic and therapeutic roles of endoscopy in motility disorders is becoming more significant. Endoscopy is necessary to rule out possible organic diseases in patients with suspected motility disorders and provide significant clues for their diagnosis. Moreover, interventional endoscopy may be a primary or alternative treatment option for selected patients with motility disorders, and it is becoming a promising field as new therapeutic applications are developed and utilized for various motility disorders. This review may provide suitable indications for the use of endoscopy in diagnosing and treating motility disorders of the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Endoscopic Treatment of Reflux: A Comprehensive Review

The last decade has seen the rise of multiple novel endoscopic techniques to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, many of which are efficacious when compared with traditional surgical options and allow relief from long-term dependence on antacid medications. This review will explore the latest endoscopic treatment options for gastroesophageal reflux disease including a description of the technique, review of efficacy and safety, and future directions.

Endoscopic Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

There have been many devices and ideas to treat reflux disease endoscopically. Several devices have been tried and even FDA approved but now are no longer used. The push for these therapies is to find effective reflux control with lower risk and faster recovery. In this article we describe an endoscopic suturing device (TIF), radiofrequency device (Stretta) and a newer technique that has a lot of promise called antireflux mucosectomy. All these procedures seem to help control reflux at a minimum of morbidity given current information. As reflux is so prevalent a shift to these techniques for appropriate patients is likely to improve patient care.

Is patient satisfaction sufficient to validate endoscopic anti-reflux treatments?

Endoscopic anti-reflux treatment is emerging as a new option for gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) treatment in patients with the same indications as for laparoscopic fundoplication. There are many techniques, the first of which are transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) and nonablative radio-frequency (STRETTA) that have been tested with comparative studies and randomized controlled trials, whereas the other more recent ones still require a deeper evaluation. The purpose of the latter is to verify whether reflux is abolished or significantly reduced after intervention, whether there is a valid high pressure zone at the gastroesophageal junction, and whether esophagitis, when present, has disappeared. Unfortunately in a certain number of cases, and especially in the more recently introduced ones, the evaluation has been based almost exclusively on subjective criteria, such as improvement in the quality of life, remission of heartburn and regurgitation, and reduction or suspension of antacid and antisecretory drug consumption. However, with the most studied techniques such as TIF and STRETTA, an improvement in symptoms better than that of laparoscopic fundoplication can often be observed, whereas the number of acid episodes and acid exposure time are similar or higher, as if the acid refluxes are better tolerated by these patients. The suspicion of a local hyposensitivity taking place after anti-reflux endoscopic intervention seems confirmed by a Bernstein test at least for STRETTA. This examination should be done for all the other techniques, both old and new, to identify the ones that reassure rather than cure. In conclusion, the evaluation of the effectiveness of the endoscopic anti-reflux techniques should not be based exclusively on subjective criteria, but should also be confirmed by objective examinations, because there might be a gap between the improvement in symptoms declared by the patient and the underlying pathophysiologic alterations of GERD.

Recent Advances in the Endoscopic Management of Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disorder: A Review of Literature

Gastro-esophageal reflux disorder (GERD) is the most common gastrointestinal tract disorder with high morbidity and heavy economic burden. Despite being treated with high-dose proton-pump inhibitors or H2 receptor blockers, a considerable percentage of patients have GERD that is only partially controlled or refractory. The majority of these patients forego surgical treatment for fear of adverse outcomes, putting them at a financial disadvantage and causing loss of productivity. Untreated GERD is the sole known risk factor for developing Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma if left untreated. With the advancement in therapeutic modalities in recent years, and given the issues such as medication compliance, the risk of adverse events with long-term antisecretory treatment, and fear of undergoing surgical treatment, endoscopic treatments such as Stretta and transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) have become a safe, cost-effective, and resilient option for the treatment of refractory GERD. Patients with refractory GERD ineligible for endoscopic therapies due to a large hiatal hernia can have their hiatal hernia corrected simultaneously with TIF (C-TIF). For the treatment of refractory GERD, endoscopic therapy is a viable and compelling option. Endoscopic therapies for refractory GERD patients are highly recommended due to their reproducible and standardized results as well as the potential to address the fundamental mechanical issue.

Efficacy of Endoscopic and Surgical Treatments for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

Although various endoscopic and surgical procedures are available for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the comparative efficacy of these treatments has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of various endoscopic and surgical treatments for GERD. All relevant randomized controlled trials published through August 2021 that compared the efficacy of endoscopic and surgical GERD treatments, including radiofrequency energy delivery, endoscopic plication, reinforcement of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), and surgical fundoplication, were searched. A network meta-analysis was performed to analyze treatment outcomes, including the requirement of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) continuation and GERD-health-related quality of life questionnaire score (GERD-HRQL). As such, 25 studies with 2854 patients were included in the analysis. Endoscopic plication, reinforcement of the LES, and surgical fundoplication were effective in reducing the requirement of PPI continuation compared to PPI therapy (pooled risk ratio (RR) (95% confidence interval [CI]): endoscopic plication, 0.34 (0.21–0.56); reinforcement of LES, 0.32 (0.16–0.63), and surgical fundoplication, 0.16 (0.06–0.42)). Radiofrequency energy delivery tended to reduce the requirement of PPI continuation compared to PPI therapy (RR (95% CI): 0.55 (0.25–1.18)). In terms of GERD-HRQL, all endoscopic and surgical treatments were superior to PPI therapy. In conclusion, all endoscopic or surgical treatments, except radiofrequency energy delivery, were effective for discontinuation of PPI medication, especially surgical fundoplication. Quality of life, measured by GERD-HRQL, also improved in patients who underwent endoscopic or surgical treatment compared to those who received PPI therapy.

The role of endoscopy in the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disease that may cause a huge economic burden. Endoscopy is performed not only to rule out other organic diseases but also to diagnose reflux esophagitis or Barrett's esophagus. Non‐erosive GERD (non‐erosive reflux disease [NERD]) is called endoscopy‐negative GERD; however, GERD‐related findings could be obtained through histological assessment, image‐enhanced endoscopy, and new endoscopic modalities in patients with NERD. Moreover, endoscopy is useful to stratify the risk for the development of GERD. In addition, endoscopic treatments have been developed. These techniques could significantly improve patients’ quality of life as well as symptoms.

Efficacy of Endoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation for Treatment of Reflux Hypersensitivity: A Study Based on Rome IV Criteria

Objective. Effective therapies for reflux hypersensitivity are lacking. Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation may reduce the sensitivity of the distal esophagus through direct interference with nociceptors or vagal afferent fibers and thus may be useful in reflux hypersensitivity. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness and possible mechanisms of endoscopic radiofrequency ablation in reflux hypersensitivity patients. Methods. Patients with reflux hypersensitivity who fulfilled the Rome IV criteria and who wished to receive further treatment were recruited. Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation was delivered to the gastroesophageal junction. Data were collected by questionnaire using a 6-point Likert scale. The primary outcome measure was effect on symptoms including heartburn, regurgitation, and chest pain. The secondary outcomes were degree of satisfaction, medication use, acid exposure time (AET), low esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, and total reflux episodes. We also assessed positive cell density of transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 receptor (TRPV1) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), both of which are biomarkers of afferent fibers, in biopsies obtained from esophageal mucosa 0.5 cm-1 cm above the Z line. These scales will be administered at baseline, 3-month follow-up, 6-month follow-up, and 12-month follow-up. Results. A total of 22 reflux hypersensitivity patients were enrolled (14 males, median age 50.0 years). A significant improvement in symptom scores (heartburn, regurgitation, and chest pain) was noted at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months ( $P<0.001$ ). Satisfaction with life increased to 72.7% (16/22), 72.7% (16/22), and 68.2% (15/22) at 3, 6, and 12 mo, respectively, compared with baseline ( $P<0.001$ ). Nineteen patients reduced their medication use after treatment. Of these, 22.7% (5/22), 31.8% (7/22), and 40.9% (9/22) subjects stopped medication use at 3 mo, 6 mo, and 12 mo, respectively. No statistical differences were noted in AET, LES pressure, or total reflux episodes from preoperation to 12 mo postoperation. After treatment, the positive cell density of both TRPV1 and CGRP decreased significantly; however, only TRPV1 had a positive correlation with heartburn ( $r=0.51$ , $P=0.03$ ) and chest pain ( $r=0.77$ , $P<0.01$ ). Conclusion. Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation was an effective and safe therapeutic option in reflux hypersensitivity patients. Further studies with large sample size are required to validate the role of radiofrequency in reflux hypersensitivity.

Endoscopic Management of GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has consistently been the most frequently diagnosed gastrointestinal malady in the USA. The mainstay of therapy has traditionally been medical management, including lifestyle and dietary modifications as well as antacid medications. In those patients found to be refractory to medical management or with a contraindication to medications, the next step up has been surgical anti-reflux procedures. Recently, though innovative advancements in therapeutic endoscopy have created numerous options for the endoscopic management of GERD, in this review, we discuss the various endoscopic therapy options, as well as suggested strategies we use to recommend the most appropriate therapy for patients.

Endoscopic anti-reflux therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease has an increasing incidence and prevalence worldwide. A significant proportion of patients have a suboptimal response to proton pump inhibitors or are unwilling to take lifelong medication due to concerns about long-term adverse effects. Endoscopic anti-reflux therapies offer a minimally invasive option for patients unwilling to undergo surgical treatment or take lifelong medication. The best candidates are those with a good response to proton pump inhibitors and without a significant sliding hiatal hernia. Transoral incisionless fundoplication and nonablative radiofrequency are the techniques with the largest body of evidence and that have been tested in several randomized clinical trials. Band-assisted ligation techniques, anti-reflux mucosectomy, anti-reflux mucosal ablation, and new plication devices have yielded promising results in recent noncontrolled studies. Nonetheless, the role of endoscopic procedures remains controversial due to limited long-term and comparative data, and no consensus exists in current clinical guidelines. This review provides an updated summary focused on the patient selection, technical details, clinical success, and safety of current and future endoscopic anti-reflux techniques.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease: recent innovations in endoscopic assessment and treatment

Innovations in endoscopy have brought about some impressive improvements in diagnosing and treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD, as one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal disorders in the world, has always been on the cutting edge of endoscopic interventions. A primary diagnosis of GERD is based on symptoms and an initial trial of proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy, which is devoid of adequately instructive value for therapeutic strategies. Endoscopy and optional biopsies can be used to directly observe and determine the abnormal structural and pathophysiological damage in the esophagus. The emergence of minimally invasive endoscopic therapy fills the gap between patients who are reluctant or insensitive to PPIs and candidates who are not indicated for surgical anti-reflux fundoplication. In this review, we discuss the utility of endoscopy and biopsy in patients with persistent GERD-related manifestations after proper medical anti-reflux treatment. Moreover, we portray a landscape of four current endoscopic GERD therapies and clarify the merits and disadvantages of each technique. Future research needs to concentrate on stratifying GERD patients based on personal conditions and elucidating the primary pathophysiology of GERD.

Placebo comparator group selection and use in surgical trials: the ASPIRE project including expert workshop

BACKGROUND

The use of placebo comparisons for randomised trials assessing the efficacy of surgical interventions is increasingly being considered. However, a placebo control is a complex type of comparison group in the surgical setting and, although powerful, presents many challenges.

OBJECTIVES

To provide a summary of knowledge on placebo controls in surgical trials and to summarise any recommendations for designers, evaluators and funders of placebo-controlled surgical trials.

DESIGN

To carry out a state-of-the-art workshop and produce a corresponding report involving key stakeholders throughout.

SETTING

A workshop to discuss and summarise the existing knowledge and to develop the new guidelines.

RESULTS

To assess what a placebo control entails and to assess the understanding of this tool in the context of surgery is considered, along with when placebo controls in surgery are acceptable (and when they are desirable). We have considered ethics arguments and regulatory requirements, how a placebo control should be designed, how to identify and mitigate risk for participants in these trials, and how such trials should be carried out and interpreted. The use of placebo controls is justified in randomised controlled trials of surgical interventions provided that there is a strong scientific and ethics rationale. Surgical placebos might be most appropriate when there is poor evidence for the efficacy of the procedure and a justified concern that results of a trial would be associated with a high risk of bias, particularly because of the placebo effect.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of placebo controls is justified in randomised controlled trials of surgical interventions provided that there is a strong scientific and ethics rationale. Feasibility work is recommended to optimise the design and implementation of randomised controlled trials. An outline for best practice was produced in the form of the Applying Surgical Placebo in Randomised Evaluations (ASPIRE) guidelines for those considering the use of a placebo control in a surgical randomised controlled trial.

LIMITATIONS

Although the workshop participants involved international members, the majority of participants were from the UK. Therefore, although every attempt was made to make the recommendations applicable to all health systems, the guidelines may, unconsciously, be particularly applicable to clinical practice in the UK NHS.

FUTURE WORK

Future work should evaluate the use of the ASPIRE guidelines in making decisions about the use of a placebo-controlled surgical trial. In addition, further work is required on the appropriate nomenclature to adopt in this space.

FUNDING

Funded by the Medical Research Council UK and the National Institute for Health Research as part of the Medical Research Council-National Institute for Health Research Methodology Research programme.

Endoscopic approaches to gastroesophageal reflux disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common chronic conditions affecting adults. A substantial proportion of patients continue to have symptoms despite medical therapy, and there has been increased demand for minimally invasive GERD therapy. We will examine currently available techniques and outcomes data on endoscopic approaches to the treatment of GERD.

RECENT FINDINGS

In the last 2 years, research has given rise to more robust understanding of not only the pathophysiology of GERD but also how to better manage the various phenotypes. We are learning the ideal patient to benefit from endoscopic GERD therapy. In this review, we describe the four major endoluminal techniques for treating GERD and summarize current data.

SUMMARY

Endoscopic therapies are well positioned to fill the 'therapy gap' between medical therapy and more invasive surgical procedures.

Untangling Nonerosive Reflux Disease From Functional Heartburn

Heartburn is a common symptom in clinical practice, but as many as 70% of patients have normal findings from upper endoscopy. Most of these patients have nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) or functional esophageal disorders. NERD is the most common phenotype of gastroesophageal reflux disease, and functional heartburn is the most common cause for refractory heartburn. In patients with NERD, symptoms arise from gastroesophageal reflux and esophageal hypersensitivity, whereas in patients with functional heartburn, symptoms result from esophageal hypersensitivity. A diagnosis of NERD requires endoscopy and reflux testing, whereas a diagnosis of functional heartburn also requires esophageal manometry. NERD is treated most commonly with medical, endoscopic, and surgical antireflux approaches, whereas functional heartburn as well as NERD can be treated with neuromodulators, psychological intervention, and complementary medicine options.

Efficacy of different endoscopic treatments in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Both transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) and radiofrequency ablation (Stretta) are representative endoscopic treatments for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but they have not been directly compared. This systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) evaluated the comparative effects of Stretta, TIF, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

METHODS

PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and Embase were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the efficacy of either the Stretta, TIF, or PPIs/sham procedure for GERD treatment. The NMA was conducted using frequentist methods.

RESULTS

A total of 516 participants from 10 RCTs were included in this NMA. Both Stretta (mean difference, MD - 9.77, 95% confidence interval, CI - 12.85 to - 6.70) and TIF (MD - 12.22, 95% CI - 15.93 to - 8.52) were significantly superior to PPIs at improving health-related quality of life (HRQL) scores and heartburn scores (Stretta: MD - 1.53, 95% CI - 2.98 to - 0.08; TIF: MD - 9.60, 95% CI - 17.79 to - 1.41). Stretta (MD - 3.77, 95% CI - 6.88 to - 0.65) was less effective at increasing lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure than TIF. Stretta was significantly superior to TIF (MD - 3.25, 95% CI - 5.95 to - 0.56) at improving esophageal acid exposure. Regarding the decrease in PPIs utility and esophagitis incidence, no significant differences were found between TIF and Stretta.

CONCLUSION

In terms of short-term reduction of the HRQL score and heartburn score in patients with GERD, TIF and Stretta may be comparable to each other, and both may be more effective than PPIs. TIF may increase the LES pressure in comparison with Stretta and PPIs. PPIs may reduce the percentage of time pH < 4.0 when compared with TIF. This evidence should be interpreted with caution given the small number of included studies and inherent heterogeneity. Registration No. CRD42020188345.

Mind the Gap: Current Treatment Alternatives for GERD Patients Failing Medical Treatment and Not Ready for a Fundoplication

BACKGROUND

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is associated with Barrett esophagus, esophageal adenocarcinoma, and significantly impacts quality of life. Medical management is the first line therapy with surgical fundoplication as an alternative therapy. However, a small portion of patients who fail medical therapy are referred for surgical consultation. This creates a "gap" in therapy for those patients dissatisfied with medical therapy but are not getting referred for surgical consultation. Three procedures have been designed to address these patients. These include radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the lower esophageal sphincter, transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF), and magnetic sphincter augmentation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A Pubmed literature review was conducted of all publications for RFA, TIF, and MSA. Four most common endpoints for the 3 procedures were compared at different intervals of follow-up. These include percent of patients off proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), GERD-HRQL score, DeMeester score, and percent of time with pH <4. A second query was performed for patients treated with PPI and fundoplications to match the same 4 endpoints as a control.

RESULTS

Variable freedom from PPI was reported at 1 year for RFA with a weighted mean of 62%, TIF with a weighted mean of 61%, MSA with a weighted mean of 85%, and fundoplications with a weighted mean of 84%. All procedures including PPIs improved quality-of-life scores but were not equal. Fundoplication had the best improvement followed by MSA, TIF, RFA, and PPI, respectively. DeMeester scores are variable after all procedures and PPIs. All MSA studies showed normalization of pH, whereas only 4 of 17 RFA studies and 3 of 11 TIF studies reported normalization of pH.

CONCLUSIONS

Our literature review compares 3 rival procedures to treat "gap" patients for gastroesophageal reflux disease with 4 common endpoints. Magnetic sphincter augmentation appears to have the most reproducible and linear outcomes but is the most invasive of the 3 procedures. MSA outcomes most closely mirrors that of fundoplication.

Endoscopic treatments for GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition with increasing prevalence and morbidity in the United States and worldwide. Despite advances in medical and surgical therapy over the last 30 years, gaps remain in the therapeutic profile of options. Flexible upper endoscopy offers the promise of filling in these gaps in a potentially minimally invasive approach. In this concise review, we focus on the plethora of endoluminal therapies available for the treatment of GERD. Therapies discussed include injectable agents, electrical stimulation of the lower esophageal sphincter, antireflux mucosectomy, radiofrequency ablation, and endoscopic suturing devices designed to create a fundoplication. As new endoscopic treatments become available, we come closer to the promise of the incisionless treatment of GERD. The known data surrounding the indications, benefits, and risks of these historical, current, and emerging approaches are reviewed in detail.

State of Evidence in Minimally Invasive Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux: Findings of a Scoping Review

BACKGROUNDS & AIMS

Endoscopic management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is being employed increasingly. The aim of this scoping review was to assess the volume of available evidence on the benefits of endoscopic and minimally invasive surgical therapies for GERD.

METHODS

criteria were used to perform an extensive literature search of data regarding the reported benefit of endoscopic therapies in GERD. Randomized controlled studies were utilized when available; however, data from observational studies were also reviewed.

RESULTS

A formal review of evidence was performed in 22 studies. Inclusion and exclusion criteria and study duration were noted and tabulated. Assessment of outcomes was based on symptoms and objective criteria reported by investigators. Reported outcomes for the interventions were tabulated under the heading of subjective (symptom scores, quality of life metrics, and change in proton pump inhibitor use) and objective metrics (pH parameters, endoscopic signs, and lower esophageal sphincter pressure changes). Adverse events were noted and tabulated. The majority of studies showed symptomatic and objective improvement of GERD with the device therapies. Adverse events were minimal. However, normalization of acid exposure occurred in about 50% of patients and, for some modalities, long-term durability is uncertain.

CONCLUSIONS

This scoping review revealed that the endoluminal and minimally invasive surgical devices for GERD therapy are a promising alternative to proton pump inhibitor therapy. Their place in the treatment algorithm for GERD will be better defined when important clinical parameters, especially durability of effect, are better understood.

Randomised clinical trial: oesophageal radiofrequency energy delivery versus sham for PPI-refractory heartburn

BACKGROUND

Oesophageal radiofrequency reduces use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease responding to PPIs.

AIM

To determine the efficacy of oesophageal radiofrequency in patients with PPI-refractory heartburn.

METHODS

A randomised, double-blind, sham-controlled multicentre study was designed to assess the efficacy of oesophageal radiofrequency in PPI non-responding patients with heartburn. Patients had moderate-to-severe heartburn defined by at least 3 occurrences a week, and not improved by continuous PPI treatment. The primary endpoint was clinical success at week 24, defined by intake of less than 7 PPI doses over the 2 preceding weeks and adequate symptom control determined by the patient.

RESULTS

Sixty two patients were randomised, 29 to the oesophageal radiofrequency group and 33 to the sham group. Intention-to-treat analysis showed that 1/29 (3.4%) and 5/33 (15.1%) achieved the primary endpoint in the oesophageal radiofrequency and sham groups, respectively (NS). There was no significant difference between oesophageal radiofrequency and sham regarding the number of days without heartburn, days with PPI consumption in the last 2 weeks, and patients not taking PPIs. No pH-impedance parameter was associated with clinical response. The occurrence of adverse events was similar in both groups.

CONCLUSION

This sham-controlled, randomised study did not demonstrate any efficacy of oesophageal radiofrequency for the treatment of PPI-refractory heartburn regarding symptom relief or consumption of PPIs. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01682265.

Nonablative Radiofrequency Treatment for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (STRETTA)

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most frequent outpatient diagnosis in the United States. There has been significant development in the endoscopic treatment of GERD, with several devices that have reached the market. One of the endoscopic devices for the management of GERD in the United States is the Stretta system. This procedure uses radiofrequency energy, which is applied to the muscles of the lower esophageal sphincter and the gastric cardia resulting in an improvement of reflux symptoms. This review evaluates the most recent data on the efficacy, mechanisms of action, and safety of this procedure.

Innovations in Endoscopic Therapy for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Minimally invasive endoscopic antireflux therapies are critical for bridging the gap between medical and surgical treatments for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Although multiple endoscopic devices have been developed, perhaps some of the most exciting options that are currently evolving are the full-thickness suturing techniques using widely available and low-cost platforms. Full-thickness endoscopic suturing can allow for a highly durable recreation of the anatomic and functional components of a lower esophageal sphincter, which are deficient in patients with GERD. Proper patient selection, endoscopic hiatal hernia evaluation, and standardized suturing methods are necessary to ensure success of endoscopic suturing for antireflux therapy.

Radiofrequency ablation is safe and effective in the treatment of Chinese patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease: A single-center prospective study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficiency of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in Chinese patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

METHODS

This was a single-center, prospective study including 27 Chinese patients with GERD. The outcomes in all patients were evaluated before and at 3, 6, and 12 months after RFA, including their GERD health-related quality of life (GERD-HRQL) score, esophageal acid exposure, DeMeester score, lower esophageal sphincter (LES) resting pressure, and patient's satisfaction with symptom control. Furthermore, rabeprazole sodium (RS) administration, reflux esophagitis (RE), and intraoperative and postoperative complications were also evaluated.

RESULTS

RFA treatment significantly reduced the GERD-HRQL score, the percentage of time that esophageal pH < 4, and the DeMeester score, and significantly increased the LES resting pressure in GERD patients. A need for RS administration was reduced and RE symptoms were relieved. Satisfaction rate of 92.6% and 96.3% was reported by these patients at 6 and 12 months post-treatment, respectively. Mild bleeding (<20 mL) occurred in one patient during RFA, and no serious intraoperative and postoperative complications were observed.

CONCLUSION

RFA is safe and effective in the treatment of GERD in Chinese patients.

Proton Pump Inhibitor-Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is defined by the presence of troublesome GERD symptoms despite PPI optimization for at least 8 weeks in the setting of ongoing documented pathologic gastroesophageal reflux. It arises from a dysfunction in protective systems to prevent reflux and as propagation of physiologic reflux events. Treatment possibilities include pharmacologic options, invasive management strategies, and endoluminal therapies. Management strategy should be personalized to the patient's needs and mechanistic dysfunction. This article reviews the definition, mechanisms, and management options for PPI-refractory GERD.

THE EFFICACY OF THE DIFFERENT ENDOSCOPIC TREATMENTS VERSUS SHAM, PHARMACOLOGIC OR SURGICAL METHODS FOR CHRONIC GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Endoscopic antireflux treatments for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are still evolving, and most of the published studies address symptom relief in the short-term. Objective - We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis focused on evaluating the efficacy of the different endoscopic procedures. METHODS: Search was restricted to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on MedLine, Cochrane, SciELO, and EMBASE for patients with chronic GERD (>6 months), over 18 years old and available follow up of at least 3 months. The main outcome was to evaluate the efficacy of the different endoscopic treatments compared to sham, pharmacological or surgical treatment. Efficacy was measured by different subjective and objective outcomes. RESULTS: We analyzed data from 16 RCT, totaling 1085 patients. The efficacy of endoscopic treatments compared to sham and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) treatment showed a significant difference up to 6 months in favor of endoscopy with no heterogeneity (P<0.00001) (I2: 0%). The subgroup analysis showed a statistically significant difference up to 6 months in favor of endoscopy: endoscopy vs PPI (P<0.00001) (I2: 39%). Endoscopy vs sham (P<0.00001) (I2: 0%). Most subjective and objective outcomes were statistically significant in favor of endoscopy up to 6 and 12 months follow up. CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis shows a good short-term efficacy in favor of endoscopic procedures when comparing them to a sham and pharmacological or surgical treatment. Data on long-term follow up is lacking and this should be explored in future studies.

Proton pump inhibitor-refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease: challenges and solutions

A significant percentage of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) will not respond to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. The causes of PPI-refractory GERD are numerous and diverse, and include adherence, persistent acid, functional disorders, nonacid reflux, and PPI bioavailability. The evaluation should start with a symptom assessment and may progress to imaging, endoscopy, and monitoring of esophageal pH, impedance, and bilirubin. There are a variety of pharmacologic and procedural interventions that should be selected based on the underlying mechanism of PPI failure. Pharmacologic treatments can include antacids, prokinetics, alginates, bile acid binders, reflux inhibitors, and antidepressants. Procedural options include laparoscopic fundoplication and LINX as well as endoscopic procedures, such as transoral incisionless fundoplication and Stretta. Several alternative and complementary treatments of possible benefit also exist.

Blinding in trials of interventional procedures is possible and worthwhile

In this paper, we use evidence from our earlier review of surgical randomised controlled trials with a placebo arm to show that blinding in trials of interventional procedures is feasible. We give examples of ingenious strategies that have been used to simulate the active procedure and to make the placebo control indistinguishable from the active treatment. We discuss why it is important to blind of patients, assessors, and caregivers and what types of bias that may occur in interventional trials. Finally, we describe the benefits of blinding, from the obvious ones such as avoiding bias, as well as less evident benefits such as avoiding patient drop out in the control arm.

Randomized sham-controlled trials in endoscopy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of adverse events

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Sham procedures in endoscopy are used with the intention of controlling for placebo response, potentially allowing more precise evaluation of treatment effect. Nevertheless, this type of study may impose significant risk without potential benefit for those in the sham group. The aim of the current study was to systematically review and analyze the endoscopic literature to assess the safety of sham controls.

METHODS

MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched for endoscopic sham procedures for all dates to July 2017. Only randomized controlled trials comparing an endoscopic therapy with a sham were included. Primary outcome was adverse events (AEs) categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. Results were combined using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed with the I² statistic, and publication bias was assessed with the Egger test and funnel plots.

RESULTS

Data were extracted from 34 publications (1987-2017; 100% full text), with a total of 2492 procedures (1355 treatment/1137 sham). Sham procedures involved upper endoscopy (31 studies) and ERCP (3 studies). Treatment arms included procedures with the following indications: weight loss (38.2%), GI bleeding (26.5%), GERD (20.6%), sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (8.8%), and dysphagia (6.2%). Overall percentage of severe adverse events (SAEs) in the sham group was 1.7% (19/1137). Of these, the most common SAEs in the sham groups were need for surgery/intensive care unit stay (35.3%), post-ERCP pancreatitis (23.5%), and perforation (11.8%). There was no significant difference in the odds of developing an SAE between the treatment group and the sham group (odds ratio, 1.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.7-2.3). The pooled additional risk incurred from being initially randomized to the sham arm and then receiving a cross-over intervention was significant (RR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.14-1.56; P < .001), compared with patients initially randomized to the study intervention.

CONCLUSION

The frequency of AEs in endoscopic sham procedures is substantial, and patients are subjected to considerable morbidity. These results raise a serious ethical dilemma regarding the use of sham-controlled trials.

Blinding in trials of interventional procedures is possible and worthwhile

In this paper, we use evidence from our earlier review of surgical randomised controlled trials with a placebo arm to show that blinding in trials of interventional procedures is feasible. We give examples of ingenious strategies that have been used to simulate the active procedure and to make the placebo control indistinguishable from the active treatment. We discuss why it is important to blind of patients, assessors, and caregivers and what types of bias that may occur in interventional trials. Finally, we describe the benefits of blinding, from the obvious ones such as avoiding bias, as well as less evident benefits such as avoiding patient drop out in the control arm.

Endoscopic Accessories Used for More Advanced Endoluminal Therapeutic Procedures

Endoscopic accessories describe an extensive variety of auxiliary instruments used for diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy. Various endoscopic accessories have been developed over the previous few decades and are mostly used for treating neoplastic lesions, such as early gastrointestinal (GI) carcinomas and premalignant lesions. Because of extensive research on natural orifice endoluminal surgery (NOTES) in the early 2000s and recent technological developments, new devices have been developed for various advanced endoluminal therapeutic procedures. In particular, a remarkable development of endoscopic management was achieved in the field of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obesity. In both conditions, there is treatment gap between medical and surgical therapy. A large proportion of the patients who do not respond to medical treatment and lifestyle modification, still hesitate to directly undergo surgical treatment. To bridge this gap, endoscopic management has been receiving increasing attention. In this article, I review endoscopic and/or endoluminal devices used for the treatment of GERD and obesity with proposed mechanisms of their function.

Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Options for Fecal Incontinence

Fecal incontinence (FI), defined as the involuntary loss of solid or liquid feces through the anus is a prevalent condition with significant effects on quality of life. FI can affect individuals of all ages and in many cases greatly impairs quality of life but, incontinent patients should not accept their debility as either inevitable or untreatable. The severity of incontinence can range from unintentional elimination of flatus to the complete evacuation of bowel contents. It is reported to affect up to 18% of the population, with a prevalence reaching as high as 50% in nursing home residents. However, FI is often underreported, thus obscuring its true prevalence in the general population. The options for treatment vary according to the degree and severity of the FI. Treatment can include dietary and lifestyle modification, certain medications, biofeedback therapy, bulking agent injections, sacral nerve stimulation as well as various types of surgery. In this article, we aim to provide a comprehensive review on the diagnosis and management of FI.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled and prospective cohort efficacy studies of endoscopic radiofrequency for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease

BACKGROUND

The endoscopic radiofrequency procedure (Stretta) has been used for more than a decade to treat patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, the efficacy of the procedure in improving objective and subjective clinical endpoints needs to be further established.

AIM

To determine the efficacy of the Stretta procedure in treating patients with GERD, using a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled and cohort studies.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic search of the PubMed and Cochrane databases for English language clinical studies of the Stretta procedure, published from inception until May 2016. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies that included the use of the Stretta procedure in GERD patients were included. A generalized inverse weighting was used for all outcomes. Results were calculated by both fixed effects and random effects model.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight studies (4 RCTs, 23 cohort studies, and 1 registry) representing 2468 unique Stretta patients were included in the meta-analysis. The (unweighted) mean follow-up time for the 28 studies was 25.4 [14.0, 36.7] months. The pooled results showed that the Stretta reduced (improved) the health-related quality of life score by -14.6 [-16.48, -12.73] (P < 0.001). Stretta also reduced (improved) the pooled heartburn standardized score by -1.53 [-1.97, -1.09] (P < 0.001). After Stretta treatment, only 49% of the patients using proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) at baseline required PPIs at follow-up (P < 0.001). The Stretta treatment reduced the incidence of erosive esophagitis by 24% (P < 0.001) and reduced esophageal acid exposure by a mean of -3.01 [-3.72, -2.30] (P < 0.001). Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) basal pressure was increased post Stretta therapy by a mean of 1.73 [-0.29, 3.74] mmHg (P = NS).

CONCLUSIONS

The Stretta procedure significantly improves subjective and objective clinical endpoints, except LES basal pressure, and therefore should be considered as a viable alternative in managing GERD.

Endoluminal Therapy for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: In Between the Pill and the Knife?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic disease characterized by symptoms of heartburn and acid regurgitation. Uncontrolled GERD can significantly impact quality of life, can lead to complications, and increases the risk of esophageal cancer. Over the past few decades, there has been an increasing prevalence of GERD among adults in Western populations. The use of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) in conjunction with lifestyle modifications remains the mainstay therapy. However, the efficacy of this intervention is often hampered by adherence, costs, and the risks of long-term PPI use. Anti-reflux surgery is an option for patients with refractory symptoms or in those in whom medical therapy is contraindicated or not desirable. While conventional surgery has an acceptable safety profile, there has been an increasing interest in alternate treatments that may potentially offer similar results and be associated with a faster recovery. Recent advances in interventional endoluminal techniques have introduced novel incisionless anti-reflux procedures. While the current data are promising, further larger prospective studies are needed in order to assess the long-term efficacy of endoluminal therapies and its place among the treatment options for GERD.

Critical review of sham surgery clinical trials: Confounding factors analysis

OBJECTIVE

Sham surgery (placebo surgery) is an intervention that omits the step thought to be therapeutically necessary. In surgical clinical trials, sham surgery serves an analogous purpose to placebo drugs, neutralizing biases such as the placebo effect. A critical review was performed to study the statistical relevance of the clinical trials about sham surgery in the light of potential confounding factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

For the critical review 52 articles were included. The possible confounding factors have been studied using a structured interpretative research form designed by the authors. This form includes the following ten confounding factors: I), lack of homogeneity among inclusion/exclusion criteria. II), false double blind. III), lack of post-surgery double blind. IV), power of the study. V), sample characteristics. VI), lost patients to Follow-up. VII), gender distribution. VIII), age equilibrium. IX), lack of psychological patient evaluation. X), lack of psychiatric patient evaluation. In most of the studies, at least one confounding factor was present.

RESULTS

The analysis of the confounding factors showed that they could influence the reliability of the surgical placebo effects.

CONCLUSIONS

The validity of sham surgery should be reconsidered.

Endoscopic Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Revisited

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is defined by the presence of troublesome symptoms resulting from the reflux of gastric contents. The prevalence of GERD is increasing globally. An incompetent lower esophageal sphincter underlies the pathogenesis of GERD. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) form the core of GERD management. However, a substantial number of patients do not respond well to PPIs. The next option is anti-reflux surgery, which is efficacious, but it has its own limitations, such as gas bloating, inability to belch or vomit, and dysphagia. Laparoscopic placement of magnetic augmentation device is emerging as a useful alternative to conventional anti-reflux surgery. However, invasiveness of a surgical procedure remains a concern for the patients. The proportion of PPI non-responders or partial responders who do not wish for anti-reflux surgery defines the ‘treatment gap’ and needs to be addressed. The last decade has witnessed the fall and rise of many endoscopic devices for GERD. Major endoscopic strategies include radiofrequency ablation and endoscopic fundoplication devices. Current endoscopic devices score high on subjective improvement, but have been unimpressive in objective improvement like esophageal acid exposure. In this review, we discuss the current endoscopic anti-reflux therapies and available evidence for their role in the management of GERD.

Early and Midterm Outcome After Laparoscopic Fundoplication and a Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Procedure in Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Prospective Observational Study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Although the minimally invasive endoscopic Stretta procedure is being increasingly used as an alternative strategy to manage gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the benefits of this procedure have to be further evaluated in clinical settings. This prospective observational study assessed the short-term and midterm outcomes associated with laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication (LTF) and the Stretta procedure.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January 2011 to January 2012, we allocated 80 patients to LTF and 85 to the Stretta procedure. Primary outcome measures, including symptom scores of heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, belching, hiccup, cough, and asthma, as well as proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use, were analyzed at midterm follow-up (1-3 years).

RESULTS

Of the 165 patients, 125 patients following LTF (n=65) or the Stretta procedure (n=60) completed the designated 3-year follow-up and were included in the final analysis. At the end of the 3-year follow-up, the symptom scores were all significantly decreased compared with the corresponding values before the two procedures in both groups (P<.05). After LTF and the Stretta procedure, 47/65 (72.3%) and 41/60 (68.3%) patients, respectively, achieved complete PPI therapy independence (72.3% versus 68.3%, P=.627). Comparing with LTF, however, the Stretta procedure had less effect on improving typical symptoms of heartburn, regurgitation, and chest pain and reducing the rate of re-operation (11.8% versus 0%, P=.006).

CONCLUSIONS

LTF and the Stretta procedure were equally effective in controlling GERD symptoms and reducing PPI use. However, LTF can achieve more improvement on typical symptoms and has a lower rate of re-operation.

Critical Assessment of Endoscopic Techniques for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Over the past 2 decades, a number of new endoscopic techniques have been developed for management of gastroesophageal (GE) reflux disease symptoms as alternatives to medical management and surgical fundoplication. These devices include application of radiofrequency treatment (Stretta), endoscopic plication (EndoCinch, Plicator, Esophyx, MUSE), and injection of bulking agents (Enteryx, Gatekeeper, Plexiglas, Duragel). Their goal was symptom relief through reduction of tissue compliance and enhancement of anatomic resistance at the GE junction. In this review, we critically assess the research behind the efficacy, safety, and durability of these treatments to better understand their roles in contemporary GE reflux disease management.

Advances in the evaluation and management of esophageal disease of systemic sclerosis

Symptoms of heartburn and dysphagia as well as objective findings of abnormal esophageal acid exposure and esophageal dysmotility are common in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Treatments for SSc esophageal disease are generally limited to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) treatment with proton pump inhibitors. Progresses made in esophageal diagnostic testing offer the potential for improved clinical characterization of esophageal disease in SSc that may help direct management decisions. In addition to reviewing GERD management in patients with SSc, present and potential uses of endoscopy, reflux monitoring, manometry, impedance planimetry, and endoscopic ultrasound are discussed.