Management of gastroesophageal reflux disease

The study and comparative analysis of GerdQ and GSRS Questionnaires on gastroesophageal reflux disease diagnostics

Introduction

Clinical questionnaires have some limitations compared to instrumental diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but clinical diagnosis of GERD based on typical symptoms is pragmatic and well-established by societal guidelines.

Aim

To study the diagnostic value and provide comparative analysis of GerdQ and GSRS questionnaires regarding the GERD diagnostics based on a comparison of the questionnaires with the results of intraluminal oesophageal impedance-pH monitoring in Ukraine.

Material and methods

Twenty-eight patients (11 men and 17 women with a mean age of 47 ±2.4 years and a mean body mass index of 25.6 ±1.1 kg) filled in the GerdQ and GSRS questionnaires and underwent 24-hour multichannel intraluminal oesophageal impedance-pH monitoring.

Results

The GerdQ questionnaire showed a significantly strong correlation between the total score of the questionnaire and the key indicators of 24-hour impedance-pH monitoring: AET (r_s = 0.793), acid reflux episodes (r_s = 0.796), and liquid reflux episodes (r_s = 0.730). Correlation of reflux syndrome according to the GSRS questionnaire was established between the acid reflux episodes (r_s = 0.530), the episodes of all fluid refluxes (r_s = 0.598), and AET (r_s = 0.560), but the strength of the correlation relationships is weaker. The GerdQ questionnaire showed a sensitivity of 78.6%, specificity of 92.9%, and accuracy (diagnostic efficiency) of 85.7%.

Conclusions

The use of the GerdQ questionnaire for the diagnosis of GERD is optimal in everyday practice for deciding whether to prescribe “ex juvantibus” therapy or whether to use instrumental examination methods (upper endoscopy, oesophageal pH monitoring, oesophageal impedance-pH monitoring).

Current trends in the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease: a review

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic disorder of the upper gastrointestinal tract with global distribution. The incidence is on the increase in different parts of the world. In the last 30 to 40 years, research findings have given rise to a more robust understanding of its pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and management. The current definition of GERD (The Montreal definition, 2006) is not only symptom-based and patient-driven, but also encompasses esophageal and extraesophageal manifestations of the disease. The implication is that the disease can be confidently diagnosed based on symptoms alone. Nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) remains the predominant form of GERD. Current thinking is that NERD and erosive reflux disease (ERD) are distinct phenotypes of GERD rather than the old concept which regarded them as components of a disease spectrum. Non erosive reflux disease is a very heterogeneous group with significant overlap with other functional gastrointestinal disorders. There is no gold standard for the diagnosis of GERD. Esophageal pH monitoring and intraluminal impedance monitoring have thrown some light on the heterogeneity of NERD. A substantial proportion of GERD patients continue to have symptoms despite optimal PPI therapy, and this has necessitated research into the development of new drugs. Several safety concerns have been raised about chronic use of proton pump inhibitors but these are yet to be substantiated in controlled studies. The debate about efficacy of long-term medical treatment compared to surgery continues, however, recent data indicate that modern surgical techniques and long-term PPI therapy have comparable efficacy. These and other issues are subjects of further research.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease: medical or surgical treatment?

Background. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common condition with increasing prevalence worldwide. The disease encompasses a broad spectrum of clinical symptoms and disorders from simple heartburn without esophagitis to erosive esophagitis with severe complications, such as esophageal strictures and intestinal metaplasia. Diagnosis is based mainly on ambulatory esophageal pH testing and endoscopy. There has been a long-standing debate about the best treatment approach for this troublesome disease. Methods and Results. Medical treatment with PPIs has an excellent efficacy in reversing the symptoms of GERD, but they should be taken for life, and long-term side effects do exist. However, patients who desire a permanent cure and have severe complications or cannot tolerate long-term treatment with PPIs are candidates for surgical treatment. Laparoscopic antireflux surgery achieves a significant symptom control, increased patient satisfaction, and complete withdrawal of antireflux medications, in the majority of patients. Conclusion. Surgical treatment should be reserved mainly for young patients seeking permanent results. However, the choice of the treatment schedule should be individualized for every patient. It is up to the patient, the physician and the surgeon to decide the best treatment option for individual cases.

The effect of Acid-reducing pharmacotherapy on the severity of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy

Background. Heartburn and acid reflux (HB/RF) are associated with increased severity of nausea and vomiting. The ability of acid-reducing drugs to reduce symptoms of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy has not been previously tested. Objective. To determine whether acid-reducing pharmacotherapy decreases the severity of NVP symptoms. Methods. We studied a cohort of women experiencing NVP, who were also experiencing HB/RF. Women were counseled to commence acid-reducing pharmacotherapy. The effectiveness of the acid-reducing medication in decreasing symptoms of both HB/RF and NVP was measured. Results. Acid-reducing drugs resulted in significant decreases in PUQE (9.6 ± 3.0 to 6.5 ± 2.5, P < .0001) and well-being scores from the initial (4.0 ± 2.0) to the follow-up interview (6.8 ± 1.6, P < .0001). After intervention with acid-reducing pharmacotherapy, a reduction in acid symptoms correlated significantly with reduction in NVP (R² = 0.72, P < .001). Conclusion. This is the first study to demonstrate that management of HB/RF can reduce the severity of NVP.

Esophageal involvement in scleroderma: gastroesophageal reflux, the common problem

OBJECTIVES

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem disease characterized by abnormalities of small blood vessels, and fibrosis of the skin and internal organs including gastrointestinal tract. This article reviews the esophageal involvement in SSc, emphasizing the gastroesophageal reflux, which is a common problem in SSc patients.

METHODS

We conducted a Medline search from 1966 to 2005. The keywords "systemic sclerosis," "esophageal involvement," "gastroesophageal reflux," "esophagitis," and "treatment" were used.

RESULTS

The gastrointestinal tract is frequently affected in diffuse and limited disease. Although any part of the gastrointestinal tract can be involved, esophageal disease occurs in nearly all patients with SSc. Common esophageal manifestations in SSc include motility abnormalities and gastroesophageal reflux (GER), Barrett's esophagus, adenocarcinoma, infectious esophagitis, and drug-induced esophagitis. Common complications of GER include esophagitis with erosions and bleeding and stricture formation. Extraesophageal manifestations of GER include mouth ulcers, chronic cough, hoarse voice, sore throat, pharyngitis, laryngospasm, asthma, and recurrent pneumonia. Diagnostic procedures used in the investigation of esophageal involvement include barium esophagram, esophageal manometry, 24-hour ambulatory pH, and endoscopy. Treatment of GER in SSc includes behavioral modification and medical therapy, mainly with proton pump inhibitors. Surgical intervention has a limited role in the management of GER in selected SSc patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Esophageal involvement is frequent in SSc patients. Gastroesophageal reflux may cause high morbidity. Careful examination of the patients reveals gastrointestinal abnormalities even in patients without symptoms. Appropriate treatment of esophageal involvement ameliorates symptoms and prevents complications.

A very low-carbohydrate diet improves gastroesophageal reflux and its symptoms

Obese patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may experience resolution of symptoms utilizing a very low-carbohydrate diet. The mechanism of this improvement is unknown. This studied aimed to prospectively assess changes in distal esophageal acid exposure and GERD symptoms among obese adults initiating a very low-carbohydrate diet. We studied obese individuals with GERD initiating a diet containing less than 20 g/day of carbohydrates. Symptom severity was assessed using the GERD Symptom Assessment Scale--Distress Subscale (GSAS-ds). Participants underwent 24-hr esophageal pH probe testing and initiated the diet upon its completion. Within 6 days, a second pH probe test was performed. Outcomes included changes in the Johnson-DeMeester score, percentage total time with a pH<4 in the distal esophagus, and GSAS-ds scores. Eight participants were enrolled. Mean Johnson-DeMeester score decreased from 34.7 to 14.0 (P=0.023). Percentage time with pH<4 decreased from 5.1% to 2.5% (P=0.022). Mean GSAS-ds score decreased from 1.28 to 0.72 (P=0.0004). These data suggest that a very low-carbohydrate diet in obese individuals with GERD significantly reduces distal esophageal acid exposure and improves symptoms.

Acid perfusion test: a useful test for evaluating esophageal acid sensitivity

The acid perfusion test (APT) is a test of esophageal acid sensitivity. In gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the APT has largely been superseded by indexes derived from 24-hr esophageal pH monitoring: symptom index (SI), symptom sensitivity index (SSI), and symptom association probability (SAP). To evaluate the role of APT in patients with GERD we compared values of SI, SSI, and SAP in 126 APT+ and 146 APT- patients. Median values for SI, SSI, and SAP were higher in the APT+ compared with the APT- group (P < 0.001). More patients had a positive SI, SSI, and SAP in the APT+ compared with the APT- group (SI, P < 0.0001; SSI and SAP, P < 0.001). Patients with a negative APT were unlikely to have symptoms caused by acid reflux (negative predictive value, 86%). APT may be useful in detecting acid sensitivity in patients who do not report symptoms on 24-hr esophageal pH monitoring.

Effect of splitting the dose of esomeprazole on gastric acidity and nocturnal acid breakthrough

BACKGROUND

Twice-daily dosing is increasingly used to improve gastric acid control, although not all proton-pump inhibitors are more effective when doses are split. Standard dose esomeprazole provides better gastric acid control than other standard dose proton-pump inhibitors.

AIMS

To compare the effect of standard dose esomeprazole (1 x 40 mg) with 20 mg b.d. on gastric acidity.

METHODS

Thirteen healthy subjects participated in this crossover study, receiving esomeprazole 2 x 20 mg and 1 x 40 mg for 7 days in random order with a washout period of at least 7 days. Gastric 24-h pH was measured on days 1, 2 and 6.

RESULTS

Median gastric 24-h pH was higher during 2 x 20 mg esomeprazole on day 2 (P < 0.01), no differences were detected on day 6. Night-time gastric acid suppression was significantly improved by 2 x 20 mg esomeprazole on all study days (P < 0.05). Nocturnal acid breakthrough was observed on all study days in subjects receiving 1 x 40 mg, but in only 85% (first night), 64% (second night), and 45% of subjects (sixth night) with 2 x 20 mg (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Splitting the esomeprazole dose improves initial acid suppression, this effect starts at the first night. Maximal benefit is achieved on day 2, while the effect on night-time acid control is detectable during the entire first week of treatment.