Pathogenesis of proton-pump inhibitor-refractory non-erosive reflux disease according to multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring

Esophageal Reflux Hypersensitivity: A Comprehensive Review

Reflux hypersensitivity (RH) is one of the phenotypes of gastroesophageal reflux disease. The latest Rome IV defines RH as a condition with typical reflux symptoms and positive reflux-symptom association despite normal acid exposure. Subsequently, the Lyon consensus proposed detailed cutoff values for the criteria on the basis of experts' consensus. Rome IV brought a clear-cut perspective into the pathophysiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease and the importance of esophageal hypersensitivity. This perspective can be supported by the fact that other functional gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia often overlap with RH. Although several possible pathophysiological mechanisms of esophageal hypersensitivity have been identified, there is still unmet medical needs in terms of treatment for this condition. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding RH.

Towards a better diagnosis of gastro esophageal reflux disease

INTRODUCTION

GERD is a common disorder and is characterized by the presence of typical or atypical symptoms. In GERD patients, the presence of mucosal alterations in endoscopy is detected in up to 30% of individuals. The clinical presentation of GERD patients may be complex and their management is challenging, due to the heterogeneous clinical presentation. The present review has been performed searching all relevant articles in this field, over the past years, using PubMed database.

AREAS COVERED

The diagnosis and management of GERD have been significantly improved in the last years due to the increasing availability of reflux monitoring techniques and the implementation of new procedures in the therapeutic armamentarium. Beside traditional impedance-pH variables, new metrics have been developed, increasing the diagnostic yield of reflux monitoring and better predicting the treatment response. Traditional pharmacological treatments include acid-suppressive-therapy and/or anti-acid. On the other hand, surgical treatment and, more recently, endoscopic procedures represent a promising field in the therapeutic approach.

EXPERT OPINION

Diagnosis and treatment of GERD still represent a challenging area. However, we believe that an accurate upfront evaluation is, nowadays, necessary in addressing patients with GERD to a more accurate diagnosis as well as to the best treatment options.

Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for gastroesophageal reflux disease 2021

In Japan, with the increasing prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and growing public interest, the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology issued Evidence-based Clinical Practice Guidelines for GERD (1st edition) in 2009 and a revised 2nd edition in 2015. A number of studies on GERD were subsequently conducted in Japan and abroad, and vonoprazan, a potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB), became available for the first time in Japan in February 2015. The revised 3rd edition (Japanese edition), which incorporates new findings and information, was published in April 2021. These guidelines are summarized herein, particularly sections related to the treatment of GERD. The important clinical issues addressed in the present revision are (i) the introduction of treatment algorithms that classify GERD into reflux esophagitis and non-erosive reflux disease, (ii) the clarification of treatment algorithms based on to the severity of reflux esophagitis, and (iii) the positioning of vonoprazan in the treatment for GERD. The present guidelines propose vonoprazan as the initial/maintenance treatment for severe reflux esophagitis. They also recommend vonoprazan or PPI as an initial treatment for mild reflux esophagitis and recommended PPI and proposed vonoprazan as maintenance treatment. These updated guidelines offer the best clinical strategies for GERD patients in Japan and hope that they will be of global use for the diagnosis and treatment for GERD.

Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Management Update

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most frequent gastrointestinal disorders. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are effective in healing lesions and improving symptoms in most cases, although up to 40% of GERD patients do not respond adequately to PPI therapy. Refractory GERD (rGERD) is one of the most challenging problems, given its impact on the quality of life and consumption of health care resources. The definition of rGERD is a controversial topic as it has not been unequivocally established. Indeed, some patients unresponsive to PPIs who experience symptoms potentially related to GERD may not have GERD; in this case the definition could be replaced with “reflux-like PPI-refractory symptoms.” Patients with persistent reflux-like symptoms should undergo a diagnostic workup aimed at finding objective evidence of GERD through endoscopic and pH-impedance investigations. The management strategies regarding rGERD, apart from a careful check of patient's compliance with PPIs, a possible change in the timing of their administration and the choice of a PPI with a different metabolic pathway, include other pharmacologic treatments. These include histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs), alginates, antacids and mucosal protective agents, potassium competitive acid blockers (PCABs), prokinetics, gamma aminobutyric acid-B (GABA-B) receptor agonists and metabotropic glutamate receptor-5 (mGluR5) antagonists, and pain modulators. If there is no benefit from medical therapy, but there is objective evidence of GERD, invasive antireflux options should be evaluated after having carefully explained the risks and benefits to the patient. The most widely performed invasive antireflux option remains laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS), even if other, less invasive, interventions have been suggested in the last few decades, including endoscopic transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF), magnetic sphincter augmentation (LINX) or radiofrequency therapy (Stretta). Due to the different mechanisms underlying rGERD, the most effective strategy can vary, and it should be tailored to each patient. The aim of this paper is to review the different management options available to successfully deal with rGERD.

2020 Seoul Consensus on the Diagnosis and Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which gastric contents regurgitate into the esophagus or beyond, resulting in either troublesome symptoms or complications. GERD is heterogeneous in terms of varied manifestations, test findings, and treatment responsiveness. GERD diagnosis can be established with symptomatology, pathology, or physiology. Recently the Lyon consensus defined the “proven GERD” with concrete evidence for reflux, including advanced grade erosive esophagitis (Los Angeles classification grades C and or D esophagitis), long-segment Barrett’s mucosa or peptic strictures on endoscopy or distal esophageal acid exposure time > 6% on 24-hour ambulatory pH-impedance monitoring. However, some Asian researchers have different opinions on whether the same standards should be applied to the Asian population. The prevalence of GERD is increasing in Asia. The present evidence-based guidelines were developed using a systematic review and meta-analysis approach. In GERD with typical symptoms, a proton pump inhibitor test can be recommended as a sensitive, cost-effective, and practical test for GERD diagnosis.

Based on a meta-analysis of 19 estimated acid-exposure time values in Asians, the reference range upper limit for esophageal acid exposure time was 3.2% (95% confidence interval, 2.7-3.9%) in the Asian countries. Esophageal manometry and novel impedance measurements, including mucosal impedance and a post-reflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave, are promising in discrimination of GERD among different reflux phenotypes, thus increasing its diagnostic yield. We also propose a long-term strategy of evidence-based GERD treatment with proton pump inhibitors and other drugs.

Factors Associated with Potassium-Competitive Acid Blocker Non-Response in Patients with Proton Pump Inhibitor-Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Approximately 20-40% of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are refractory to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment. The acid-inhibitory effect of vonoprazan, a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB), is significantly greater when compared to the effect of PPIs. We investigated the efficacy of vonoprazan treatment for PPI-refractory GERD and factors associated with P-CAB non-response.

METHODS

We enrolled 277 GERD patients receiving continuous PPI therapy. Subjects completed a self-report questionnaire including the frequency scale for the symptoms of GERD (FSSG). Patients with PPI-refractory GERD received 20 mg of vonoprazan once daily for 8 weeks. After that, subjects completed the same questionnaire, and the results were used to identify P-CAB responders and non-responders.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight patients were identified as P-CAB responders and 26 were non-responders. Vonoprazan treatment significantly decreased scores of FSSG, nighttime symptom, and Athens Insomnia Scale. Multivariate analysis demonstrated co-existing functional dyspepsia (FD; OR 4.94) and the presence of sleep disturbances (OR 4.34) was associated with P-CAB non-response, whereas alcohol consumption was inversely associated.

CONCLUSIONS

Vonoprazan treatment might be appropriate as a promising new strategy for PPI-refractory GERD. Co-existing FD, sleep disturbances, and alcohol abstinence were significantly associated with P-CAB non-response. Other therapeutic options should be considered in patients with these factors.

The diagnostic value of pepsin detection in saliva for gastro-esophageal reflux disease: a preliminary study from China

Background

None of current diagnostic methods has been proven to be a reliable tool for gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). Pepsin in saliva has been proposed as a promising diagnostic biomarker for gastro-esophageal reflux. We aimed to determine the diagnostic value of salivary pepsin detection for GERD.

Methods

Two hundred and fifty patients with symptoms suggestive of GERD and 35 asymptomatic healthy volunteers provided saliva on morning waking, after lunch and dinner for pepsin determination using the Peptest lateral flow device. All patients underwent 24-h multichannel intraluminal impedance pH (24-h MII-pH) monitoring and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Based on 24-h MII-pH and endoscopy study, patients were defined as GERD (abnormal MII-pH results and/or reflux esophagitis) and non-GERD otherwise.

Results

Patients with GERD had a higher prevalence of pepsin in saliva and higher pepsin concentration than patients with non-GERD and healthy controls (P < 0.001 for all). The pepsin test had a sensitivity of 73% and a specificity of 88.3% for diagnosing GERD using the optimal cut-off value of 76 ng/mL. Postprandial saliva samples collected when the symptoms occurred had a more powerful ability to identify GERD.

Conclusions

Salivary pepsin test had moderate diagnostic value for GERD. It may be a promising tool to replace the use of currently invasive tools with advantages of non-invasive, easy to perform and cost effective.

Trial registration

ChiCTR-DDD-16009506 (date of registration: October 20, 2016).

Expression of Serum Exosomal and Esophageal MicroRNA in Rat Reflux Esophagitis

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common upper gastrointestinal disease. However, the role of exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) and esophageal miRNAs in GERD has not been studied. A rat model of acid reflux esophagitis was used to establish a novel diagnosis marker for GERD and examine dynamics of miRNA expression in GERD. Rats were sacrificed 3 (acute phase), 7 (sub-acute phase) and 21 days (chronic phase) after induction of esophagitis. Exosomes were extracted from serum, and the expression patterns of serum miRNAs were analyzed. Four upregulated miRNAs (miR-29a-3p, 128-3p, 223-3p and 3473) were identified by microarray analysis. The expression levels of exosomal miR-29a-3p were significantly higher in the chronic phase of reflux esophagitis compared with controls, and increased expression of miR-29a-3p was specific to chronic reflux esophagitis. Esophageal miR-223-3p expression was higher compared with controls, and gradually decreased from acute to chronic phase in esophagitis. In conclusion, exosomal miR-29a-3p and esophageal miR-223-3p might play roles in GERD.

Pathogenesis of Double-Dose Proton Pump Inhibitor-Resistant Non-Erosive Reflux Disease, and Mechanism of Reflux Symptoms and Gastric Acid Secretion-Suppressive Effect in the Presence or Absence of Helicobacter pylori Infection

BACKGROUND

Various mechanisms have been suggested to be responsible for contributing to the occurrence of proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-resistant non-erosive reflux disease (NERD). The aims of this study were to clarify the pathogenesis of PPI-resistant NERD.

METHODS

Fifty-three patients with NERD, who had persistent reflux symptoms despite taking double-dose PPI, were included in this study. After excluding eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and primary esophageal motility disorder, esophageal impedance-pH monitoring was carried out. In symptom index (SI)-positive patients, the mechanism of SI positivity and the percent time with intragastric pH >4 were investigated according to the presence or absence of Helicobacter pylori infection.

RESULTS

One of the 53 patients had EoE, and 4 had primary esophageal motility disorder. Twenty-three and 2 patients were SI-positive for liquid and gas-only reflux respectively. Of 17 SI-positive, H. pylori-negative patients, 5 were SI-positive for acid reflux, whereas all of the H. pylori-positive patients were SI-positive for non-acid reflux. The percent time with intragastric pH >4 was significantly lower in the H. pylori-negative patients than in the H. pylori-positive patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The pathogenesis of double-dose PPI-resistant NERD was identified in 57%. In some of H. pylori-negative patients, acid-related symptoms were observed. However, in H. pylori-positive patients, these symptoms were excluded by taking double-dose PPI.

Relevance of sleep disturbance to the integrity and characteristics of secondary peristalsis in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease

OBJECTIVE

Sleep disturbance is common in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Secondary peristalsis is important for clearance of the refluxate from the esophagus. We aimed to test the hypothesis whether secondary peristalsis is impaired in GERD patients with sleep disturbance.

METHODS

Secondary peristalsis was stimulated with slow and rapid air injections into mid-esophagus in 8 age-matched health controls and 41 patients with GERD. Sleep disturbance was assessed by the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Objective sleep measures were assessed by ambulatory actigraphy.

RESULTS

The threshold volume for inducing secondary peristalsis during slow air injection was significantly higher in GERD patients with sleep disturbance than healthy controls (14.3 ± 1.2 vs. 8.9 ± 0.5 mL, p < .05). GERD patients with sleep disturbance had higher threshold volume of secondary peristalsis during rapid air injection than GERD patients without sleep disturbance (5.1 ± 0.4 vs. 3.9 ± 0.2 mL, p < .05) and healthy controls (5.1 ± 0.4 vs. 3.6 ± 0.2 mL, p < .05). There was a negative correlation between PSQI score and peristaltic frequency during rapid air injection (r = -.39, p = .01). Secondary peristaltic amplitude during rapid air injection was negatively correlated with wake after sleep onset (r = -.34, p = .04).

CONCLUSIONS

Sleep disturbance is associated with secondary peristaltic response to distension-induced esophageal stimulation in patients with GERD. Our study suggests that sleep disturbance per se may adversely influence the effectiveness of esophageal peristalsis and bolus clearance during sleep in patients with GERD.

Esophageal Body Motility for Clinical Assessment in Patients with Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Symptoms

Background/Aims

Little data exists about esophageal body dysmotility and reflux patterns in refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (RGERD) patients off therapy. We aimed to evaluate effects of esophageal body dysmotility on reflux parameters in RGERD patients by combining impedance-pH monitoring and high-resolution manometry (HRM).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the impedance-pH data and HRM metrics in patients with refractory gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. Impedance-pH monitoring and manometric data were compared between 2 groups: ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) and normal motility.

Results

Forty-eight patients (30 males, mean age 54.5 years) were included (16 erosive esophagitis, 24 non-erosive reflux disease, and 8 functional heartburn), amongst which 24 subjects showed IEM, and others had normal motility. Number of patients who had a large break in the IEM group was significantly higher than that of normal motility patients. IEM group had more patients with weakly acid reflux and long term acid reflux than the normal group (P = 0.008, P = 0.004, respectively). There was no statistical difference in baseine impedance levels from z4 to z6 between the 2 groups (2911 ± 1160 Ω vs 3604 ± 1232 Ω, 2766 ± 1254 Ω vs 3752 ± 1439 Ω, 2349 ± 1131 Ω vs 3038 ± 1254 Ω, all P > 0.05). Acid exposure time, numbers of long term acid reflux and weakly acid reflux showed strong negative correlation with esophageal body motility and/or lower esophageal sphincter function.

Conclusions

IEM was associated more with acid exposure, abnormal weakly acid reflux, and long term acid reflux in RGERD patients. These data suggested the role of esophageal body dysmotility in the pathophysiological mechanisms of RGERD patients.

A Multicenter, Randomized, Open-Label Trial: Efficacy of Once-Daily Versus Twice-Daily Double-Dose Rabeprazole on Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease-Related Symptoms and Quality of Life

Background

Approximately 20% to 40% of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are refractory to standard-dose proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment.

Objective

We compared the efficacy and quality-of-life effects of 20 mg once daily (QD) versus 10 mg twice daily (BID) rabeprazole (RPZ) in patients with refractory GERD-related symptoms and sleep disturbances.

Methods

This multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label study included patients in whom PPI treatment >4 weeks was ineffective. According to the Global Overall Symptom (GOS) scale, PPI-refractory GERD was defined as ≥1 category with >3 points among 10 specific upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Seventy-eight patients were randomly assigned to 20 mg QD and 10 mg BID RPZ groups for 8 weeks. Efficacy was evaluated using self-reported questionnaires, including the GOS scale and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), whereas quality of life was assessed using the Short-Form 8 Health Survey (SF-8), at 4 and 8 weeks. Patients showing improvement at 8 weeks received follow-up every 4 to 8 weeks.

Results

GOS scale scores were significantly improved at 8 weeks in both groups, with no significant intergroup differences. Although SF-8 scores showed an increasing trend over 8 weeks in both groups, the physical component summaries in the 10 mg BID group significantly improved. The mental component summaries clearly improved in the 10 mg BID group. Of the 74 cases (4 missing), 51 (68.9%) had PSQI scores ≥5.5. PSQI scores remained unchanged during follow-up in both groups. The recurrence rate was not significantly different (46.1% vs 47.1% in the 20 mg QD and 10 mg BID groups, respectively) during the follow-up period at median (interquartile range) 24.0 (30.5) months.

Conclusions

In patients with refractory GERD, there was no significant difference in GOS scale score, PSQI, or recurrence rate between the groups. With regard to subscores of the SF-8, the 10 mg BID group might be potentially effective.

•

This multicenter prospective randomized comparative study compares the efficacy on symptoms, QOL and sleep disturbance between two ways of double dose PPI; once-daily 20mg RPZ or twice-daily 10mg RPZ.

•

The patients with PPI refractory GERD were suffered from severe acid reflux symptoms, sleep disturbance and general distress. For these reasons, to establish the treatments to refractory GERD was important to improve their QOL. In patients with refractory GERD, there was no significant difference in GOS, PSQI, or recurrence rate between the groups.

Asia-Pacific consensus on the management of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: an update focusing on refractory reflux disease and Barrett's oesophagus

OBJECTIVE

Since the publication of the Asia-Pacific consensus on gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in 2008, there has been further scientific advancement in this field. This updated consensus focuses on proton pump inhibitor-refractory reflux disease and Barrett's oesophagus.

METHODS

A steering committee identified three areas to address: (1) burden of disease and diagnosis of reflux disease; (2) proton pump inhibitor-refractory reflux disease; (3) Barrett's oesophagus. Three working groups formulated draft statements with supporting evidence. Discussions were done via email before a final face-to-face discussion. We used a Delphi consensus process, with a 70% agreement threshold, using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria to categorise the quality of evidence and strength of recommendations.

RESULTS

A total of 32 statements were proposed and 31 were accepted by consensus. A rise in the prevalence rates of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in Asia was noted, with the majority being non-erosive reflux disease. Overweight and obesity contributed to the rise. Proton pump inhibitor-refractory reflux disease was recognised to be common. A distinction was made between refractory symptoms and refractory reflux disease, with clarification of the roles of endoscopy and functional testing summarised in two algorithms. The definition of Barrett's oesophagus was revised such that a minimum length of 1 cm was required and the presence of intestinal metaplasia no longer necessary. We recommended the use of standardised endoscopic reporting and advocated endoscopic therapy for confirmed dysplasia and early cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

These guidelines standardise the management of patients with refractory gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and Barrett's oesophagus in the Asia-Pacific region.

Diagnosis and Anti-Reflux Therapy for GERD with Respiratory Symptoms: A Study Using Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance-pH Monitoring

Background/Aims

Respiratory symptoms are often associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Although the role of multichannel intraluminal impedance–pH (MII-pH) monitoring in GERD is clear, little is known regarding the characteristics of patients with respiratory symptoms based on MII-pH monitoring and anti-reflux therapy. We evaluated a cohort of GERD patients to identify the MII-pH parameters of GERD-related respiratory symptoms and to assess the anti-reflux therapy outcomes.

Methods

We undertook a prospective study of patients who were referred for GERD evaluation from January 2011 to January 2012. One hundred ninety-five patients underwent MII-pH monitoring and esophageal manometry, and one hundred sixty-five patients underwent invasive anti-reflux therapy that included laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication (LTF) and the Stretta procedure. The patient characteristics and MII-pH parameters were analyzed, and the symptom scores were assessed at baseline and at 1- and 3-year follow-up evaluations.

Results

Of the 195 patients, 96 (49.2%) exhibited respiratory symptoms and significantly more reflux episodes (70.7±29.3) than patients without respiratory symptoms (64.7±24.4, p = 0.044) based on the MII-pH monitoring results. Moreover, the group of patients with respiratory symptoms exhibited more proximal reflux episodes (35.2±21.3) than the non-respiratory symptomatic group (28.3±17.9, p = 0.013). One hundred twenty-five patients following the Stretta procedure (n = 60, 31 with respiratory symptoms) or LTF (n = 65, 35 with respiratory symptoms) completed the designated 3-year follow-up period and were included in the final analysis. The symptom scores after anti-reflux therapy all decreased relative to the corresponding baseline values (p<0.05), and there were no significant differences in the control of respiration between the Stretta procedure and LTF (p>0.05). However, LTF significantly reduced the recurrence (re-operation) rate compared with the Stretta procedure (0 vs. 19.4%, p = 0.006).

Conclusions

MII-pH monitoring effectively detected respiratory-related predictive parameters, including total/proximal reflux episodes and symptom correlations. We found that GERD patients with respiratory symptoms exhibited more proximal and total reflux episodes but not more acid-related episodes, as determined by MII-pH monitoring. Thus, such monitoring could be useful for diagnosing atypical GERD patients with respiratory symptoms. Furthermore, LTF exhibited a more significant effect on controlling typical symptoms in all GERD patients and reducing the recurrence rate than the Stretta procedure in patients with respiratory symptoms.

Role of altered esophageal intraluminal baseline impedance levels in patients with gatroesophageal reflux disease refractory to proton pump inhibitors

Numerous studies have investigated utility of esophageal intraluminal baseline impedance levels (BILs) in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, effect of BILs in refractory GERD (RGERD) has not been well investigated. The aim of this study is to evaluate role of BILs in RGERD patients. Total 62 subjects with refractory gastroesophageal reflux symptoms underwent 24-hour impedance-pH monitoring and gastroendoscopy. Distal BILs in acid reflux type were significantly lower than those in nonacid reflux type and functional heartburn (FH) group. Distal BILs of reflux esophagitis (RE) patients were lower than those of nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) patients, while there were no statistical significance between 2 groups. Patients with severe esophagitis had lower distal BILs than those with mild esophagitis and NERD patients, and patients with severe esophagitis in acid reflux type had the lowest distal BILs. Distal BILs were significantly negatively correlated with DeMeester score, episodes of acid reflux, and acid exposure time, but no correlated with episodes of nonacid reflux. Characteristics of BILs in RGERD patients were similar with those in GERD patients, but might be more complicated. Evaluating BILs in RGERD patients could achieve a better understanding of pathophysiology in RGERD.

Management of refractory typical GERD symptoms

The management of patients with refractory GERD (rGERD) is a major clinical challenge for gastroenterologists. In up to 30% of patients with typical GERD symptoms (heartburn and/or regurgitation), acid-suppressive therapy does not provide clinical benefit. In this Review, we discuss the current management algorithm for GERD and the features and management of patients who do not respond to treatment (such as those individuals with an incorrect diagnosis of GERD, inadequate PPI intake, persisting acid reflux and persisting weakly acidic reflux). Symptom response to existing surgical techniques, novel antireflux procedures, and the value of add-on medical therapies (including prokinetics and reflux inhibitors) for rGERD symptoms are discussed. Pharmaceutical agents targeting oesophageal sensitivity, a condition that can contribute to symptom generation in rGERD, are also discussed. Finally, on the basis of available published data and our expert opinion, we present an outline of a current, usable algorithm for management of patients with rGERD that considers the timing and diagnostic use of pH-impedance monitoring on or off PPI, additional diagnostic tests, the clinical use of baclofen and the use of add-on neuromodulators (tricyclic agents and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).

Characteristics of nighttime reflux assessed using multichannel intraluminal impedance pH monitoring and a portable electroencephalograph

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is strongly associated with sleep disturbances. Although the mechanisms of this association have not been fully elucidated, nighttime reflux plays a central role. However, the detailed characteristics of nighttime reflux occurring during sleep are unknown. The aim of the present study was to examine the characteristics and prevalence of nighttime reflux in the natural sleep environment of GERD patients. Seventeen patients experiencing daily moderate-to-severe heartburn and/or regurgitation were studied using multichannel intraluminal impedance pH monitoring and electroencephalography off-proton pump inhibitor treatment. Nighttime reflux was divided based on reflux type (liquid or gas), acidity (acidic, weakly acidic, or alkaline) and extent (distal only or proximal migration) according to the standard criteria. Nighttime phases were divided as follows: recumbent-awake before falling asleep, nonrapid eye movement, rapid eye movement, awakening from sleep, and post-awakening in the morning. Among 184 nighttime refluxes, 43 (23%) occurred during recumbent-awake before falling asleep, 28 (15%) during nonrapid eye movement, 14 (8%) during rapid eye movement, 86 (46%) during awakening from sleep, and 13 (7%) during post-awakening in the morning. Liquid reflux was more common in awakening during sleep (92%), nonrapid eye movement (100%), and rapid eye movement (100%) compared with awakening before falling asleep (68%). The prevalence of proximal migration was significantly lower in nonrapid eye movement and rapid eye movement than in the other phases. There were no differences in acidity and bolus clearance time among the phases. Thirteen (65%) of 20 events with GERD symptoms had nighttime reflux, suggesting that only 7.1% (13 of 184) of nighttime refluxes were symptomatic. Nighttime reflux was observed in 48 (11%) of 425 awakening episodes during sleep. Different reflux patterns at each phase during nighttime might explain the pathogenesis of GERD and its related sleep disturbances.

Tailored therapy for the refractory GERD patients by combined multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

About 30% of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are refractory to proton pump inhibitor (PPI). The reason for the PPI failure in Asian GERD patients has rarely been studied, and the therapy remained unclear. The aims were to explore the possible reasons for PPI failure and to treat these patients with the guidance of 24-h multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (MII-pH) monitoring.

METHODS

Thirty-nine consecutive patients with refractory GERD were enrolled; 24-h MII-pH monitoring was performed on PPI. The refractory GERD patients were grouped into acid overexposure, non-acid reflux, and functional heartburn after the MII-pH monitoring. Double dose of either PPI or paroxetine was administered to refractory GERD patients within different groups.

RESULTS

The number of patients in groups of acid overexposure, non-acid reflux, and functional heartburn was 6, 12, and 21, respectively. The acid overexposure group had the most acid reflux events. Among the acid overexposure group, five (5/6) patients accomplish symptom relief with double dose of esomeprazole. For the patients in non-acid reflux group, double dose of esomeprazole made half (6/12) of the patients obtain symptom relief. For the patients in functional heartburn group, the paroxetine had relieved the symptoms in 14 patients among all the 21 patients. In total, with the guidance of MII-pH monitoring, 64.1% (25/39) of refractory GERD patients accomplished symptom relief.

CONCLUSIONS

Acid overexposure, non-acid reflux, and functional heartburn were the common reasons for persistent reflux symptoms despite PPI. With the guidance of MII-pH, a tailored therapy could resolve the persistent reflux symptoms among two-third of patients.

Characteristics of symptomatic reflux episodes in Japanese proton pump inhibitor-refractory non-erosive reflux disease patients

AIM: To clarify the pathogenesis of gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms in non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) patients.

METHODS: Thirty-five NERD patients with persistent symptoms, despite taking rabeprazole 10 mg twice daily for at least 8 wk, were included in this study. All patients underwent 24 h combined impedance - pH on rabeprazole. The symptom index (SI) was considered to be positive if ≥ 50%, and proximal reflux episodes were determined when reflux reached 15 cm above the proximal margin of the lower esophageal sphincter.

RESULTS: In 14 (40%) SI-positive patients, with liquid weakly acid reflux, the occurrence rate of reflux symptoms was significantly more frequent in proximal reflux episodes (46.7%) than in distal ones (5.7%) (P < 0.001). With liquid acid reflux, there were no significant differences in the occurrence rate of reflux symptoms between proximal reflux episodes (38.5%) and distal ones (20.5%) (NS). With mixed liquid-gas weakly acid reflux, the occurrence rate of reflux symptoms in proximal reflux episodes was significantly more frequent (31.0%) than in distal reflux ones (3.3%) (P < 0.001). With mixed liquid-gas acid reflux, there were no significant differences in the occurrence rate of reflux symptoms between proximal reflux episodes (29.4%) and distal ones (14.3%) (NS).

CONCLUSION: The proximal extent of weakly acidic liquid and mixed liquid-gas reflux is a major factor associated with reflux perception in SI-positive patients on proton pump inhibitor therapy.

More art than science: impedance analysis prone to interpretation error

BACKGROUND

Impedance monitoring for reflux evaluation does not have standardized scoring, which can confound interpretation between observers. We investigated the variability of impedance testing interpretation between physicians and computer software.

METHODS

Raw impedance data from 38 patients that underwent impedance monitoring at a tertiary referral center between 2008 and 2013 were collected. Two physicians and computer software each analyzed the same impedance dataset for reflux activity and symptom-reflux correlation.

RESULTS

Normalized reflux activity interpretations did not differ between physicians and the computer for acid or non-acid reflux. However, for weakly acidic reflux, there was significant difference between physicians (p < 0.01) and between physician and computer (p < 0.01). In analyzing all reflux, significant variability existed between physicians (p < 0.01) but not between physician and computer. Variability in interpretation altered diagnosis in 24 % of patients when comparing between physicians, 18 % of patients when comparing both physicians to the computer, and an additional 24 % of cases when comparing a single physician to the computer. Symptom-reflux correlation differed in 7 % of physician-physician comparisons versus 8 % of computer-physician comparisons.

CONCLUSION

Impedance testing analysis is subject to marked variability between physicians and computer software, making impedance prone to interpretation error that can lead to differences in diagnosis and management.

Usefulness of baseline impedance in patients with proton pump inhibitor-refractory nonerosive reflux disease

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Approximately more than half of patients with non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) do not respond to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. Although NERD is a heterogeneous entity, previous study showed that multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII)-pH monitoring could distinguish reflux-related disease from PPI-refractory NERD. The aim of this study was to examine the usefulness of baseline impedance in PPI-refractory NERD patients.

METHODS

We used MII-pH monitoring to analyze reflux parameters, symptom index (SI), and baseline impedance in 37 PPI-refractory NERD patients on PPI. Reflux was divided into acid (nadir pH ≤ 4) and non-acid (nadir pH > 4). Subjects were classified as having reflux-related disease based on abnormal reflux parameters or positive SI (≥ 50%), or non-reflux-related disease, including functional heartburn, based on negative SI with normal reflux parameters.

RESULTS

A total of 26 of the 37 subjects were diagnosed with reflux-related disease, including eight with acid-reflux type and 18 with non-acid-reflux type, and nine with functional heartburn and two with pseudohypersalivation. There were no significant differences in the clinical characteristics of the acid-reflux type, non-acid-reflux type, and functional heartburn groups. The baseline impedance value in the acid-reflux type (1245 ± 392 Ω) was significantly lower than that in the non-acid-reflux type (2824 ± 1160 Ω) and functional heartburn (3546 ± 1353 Ω) groups. Baseline impedance values inversely correlated with reflux percent time, acid-reflux time, and acid exposure time.

CONCLUSION

Among patients with PPI-refractory NERD, acid-reflux type was associated with lower baseline impedance compared with non-acid-reflux type and functional heartburn.

Overlap in patients with dyspepsia/functional dyspepsia

Patients with dyspepsia/functional dyspepsia (FD) show frequent overlapping of other gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, such as irri-table bowel syndrome, and non-GI diseases, in addition to internal subgroup overlapping. These overlap patients have more frequent or more severe symptoms, poorer health-related quality of life and higher somatization scores, and they are more like-ly to experience anxiety, depression or insomnia compared to non-overlap patients. The higher prevalence of overlap in patients with dyspepsia/FD is not by chance, indicating common pathogeneses, including visceral hypersensitivity, altered GI motility, in-fection, and stressful early life events. There are few clinical trials targeting overlap in patients with dyspepsia/FD, and no ther-apeutic strategy has been established. Further studies in this research area are needed. In this review, we describe the epidemi-ology, pathogenesis and treatment of overlap in patients with dyspepsia/FD.(J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2014;20:447-457).

The role of gastroesophageal reflux in relation to symptom onset in patients with proton pump inhibitor-refractory nonerosive reflux disease accompanied by an underlying esophageal motor disorder

BACKGROUND

The symptom improvement rate is low with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in nonerosive reflux disease (NERD). The underlying pathogenic mechanism is complex. Esophageal motility disorders (EMDs) are thought to be a factor, but their prevalence, type, symptoms and the role played by gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in symptom onset have not been fully investigated.

AIM

To investigate the role of GER in symptom onset in PPI-refractory NERD patients with EMDs.

METHODS

This study comprised 76 patients with PPI-refractory NERD. Manometry was performed during PPI treatment and patients were divided into an EMD group and normal motility (non-EMD) group. Then, multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring was performed and medical interviews were conducted.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients (25%) had an EMD. Data were compared between 17 patients, excluding 2 with achalasia and 57 non-EMD patients. No significant differences were observed between groups in 24-hour intraesophageal pH <4 holding time (HT), mean number of GER episodes or mean number of proximal reflux episodes. The reflux-related symptom index (≥50%) showed a relationship between reflux and symptoms in 70.5% of EMD patients and 75% of non-EMD patients. In the EMD group, the score for FSSG (Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of GERD) question (Q)10 was significantly correlated with the number of GER episodes (r = 0.58, p = 0.02) and the number of proximal reflux episodes (r = 0.63, p = 0.02). In addition, the score for Q9 tended to be correlated with the number of GER episodes (r = 0.44, p = 0.06).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that some PPI-refractory NERD patients have EMDs, and that GER plays a role in symptom onset.

Sleep disturbances and refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms in patients receiving once-daily proton pump inhibitors and efficacy of twice-daily rabeprazole treatment

BACKGROUND

Nighttime acid reflux that influences refractory symptoms is strongly associated with sleep disturbances. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between sleep disturbances and refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms in patients receiving once daily proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and the efficacy of twice-daily rabeprazole treatment.

METHOD

In a multicenter survey, 433 GERD patients receiving once-daily PPI treatment completed a self-report questionnaire that included the Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of GERD (FSSG) and questions about sleep disturbances. Study cases were defined as patients with an FSSG score ≥8. Of the 222 study cases, 106 individuals received rabeprazole 10 mg twice daily for 4-8 weeks.

RESULTS

Of the 433 subjects, 222 patients revealed FSSG scores of ≥8. Use of a half dose of PPI was associated with such cases. PPI-refractory symptoms were found in 46% of patients with standard-dose PPI treatment. Nighttime symptoms (OR = 2.56), daytime sleepiness (OR = 1.64), and poorer sleep quality (OR = 1.67) were significantly associated with refractory GERD symptoms. Twice-daily rabeprazole treatment significantly improved FSSG scores and sleep disturbances.

CONCLUSION

About half of the GERD patients receiving once-daily standard-dose PPI treatment had refractory GERD symptoms. Sleep disturbances were significantly associated with refractory GERD symptoms. Twice-daily rabeprazole treatment was effective in such cases.

Gastroesophageal reflux symptoms not responding to proton pump inhibitor: GERD, NERD, NARD, esophageal hypersensitivity or dyspepsia?

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a common gastrointestinal process that can generate symptoms of heartburn and chest pain. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the gold standard for the treatment of GER; however, a substantial group of GER patients fail to respond to PPIs. In the past, it was believed that acid reflux into the esophagus causes all, or at least the majority, of symptoms attributed to GER, with both erosive esophagitis and nonerosive outcomes. However, with modern testing techniques it has been shown that, in addition to acid reflux, the reflux of nonacid gastric and duodenal contents into the esophagus may also induce GER symptoms. It remains unknown how weakly acidic or alkaline refluxate with a pH similar to a normal diet induces GER symptoms. Esophageal hypersensitivity or functional dyspepsia with superimposed heartburn may be other mechanisms of symptom generation, often completely unrelated to GER. Detailed studies investigating the pathophysiology of esophageal hypersensitivity are not conclusive, and definitions of the various disease states may overlap and are often confusing. The authors aim to clarify the pathophysiology, definition, diagnostic techniques and medical treatment of patients with heartburn symptoms who fail PPI therapy.