Should patients with GERD be screened once at least for Barrett's epithelium? Pro: The need to screen GERD patients for Barrett's esophagus--a greater yield than surveillance

Gastroesophageal reflux disease and bulimia nervosa--a review of the literature

Bulimia nervosa and other eating disorders have been on the increase for the past half century. Self-induced vomiting is often practiced as a method of weight control in these patients, potentially causing acidic damage to the esophagus of the kind observed in cases of gastroesophageal reflux disease. To ascertain whether patients suffering from bulimia nervosa had an increased rate of reflux-related symptoms, potentially placing them at risk of developing sequelae such as Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma, a literature review was performed via searches of databases including PubMed, Medline, OVID and PsycINFO and a recursive search of the literature. The search terms were: bulimia nervosa; reflux; esophageal adenocarcinoma; Barrett's esophagus; eating disorders; oral; dental; complications. Several case reports were identified detailing the occurrence of an esophageal tumor in patients with a history of bulimia. This was supported to some degree by studies detailing higher incidences of reflux symptoms in eating disordered patients compared to controls but there was large variability in study design, quality and results. From these results an association is suggested as possible but is far from being proved conclusively. Further investigation is required using larger patient groups, better study design controlling for confounding factors and symptom characterisation.

Reflux, Dyspepsia, and Disorders of the Foregut

Disorders of the foregut are an increasingly common cause of symptoms in Western populations. This review summarizes recent advances in the understanding and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, dyspepsia and celiac disease.

Does screening for Barrett's esophagus and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus prolong survival?

Despite the paucity of data supporting its use, screening upper endoscopy for patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms to assess for Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma has become a widely accepted practice. We apply the principles of screening to Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Critical application of the key criteria of screening to this situation demonstrates that several criteria are unfulfilled. Key data are not available with which to judge other criteria. The major fault with screening for Barrett's esophagus is that the at-risk population is too broadly characterized and that too many cancers occur outside of this risk pool. Thus, recommendations for screening cannot be endorsed. Efforts may be better directed at further research identifying groups at risk for esophageal adenocarcinoma, developing more accurate and less-invasive methods of diagnosis, and discovering the underlying factors which continue to drive the increased incidence of this disease.