Brazilian consensus on gastroesophageal reflux disease: Proposals for assessment, classification, and management

The Brazilian Consensus on Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease considers gastroesophageal reflux disease to be a chronic disorder related to the retrograde flow of gastroduodenal contents into the esophagus and/or adjacent organs, resulting in a variable spectrum of symptoms, with or without tissue damage. Considering the limitations of classifications currently in use, a new classification is proposed that combines three criteria - clinical, endoscopic, and pH-metric - providing a comprehensive and more complete characterization of the disease. The diagnosis begins with the presence of heartburn, acid regurgitation, and alarm manifestations (dysphagia, odynophagia, weight loss, GI bleeding, nausea and/or vomiting, and family history of cancer). Also, atypical esophageal, pulmonary, otorhinolaryngological, and oral symptoms may occur. Endoscopy is the first approach, particularly in patients over 40 yr of age and in those with alarm symptoms. Other exams are considered in particular cases, such as contrast radiological examination, scyntigraphy, manometry, and prolonged pH measurement. The clinical treatment encompasses behavioral modifications in lifestyle and pharmacological measures. Proton pump inhibitors in manufacturers' recommended doses are indicated, with doubling of the dose in more severe cases of esophagitis. The minimum time of administration is 6 wk. Patients who do not respond to medical treatment, including those with atypical manifestations, should be considered for surgical treatment. Of the complications of gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett's esophagus presents a potential development of adenocarcinoma; biopsies should be performed, independent of Barrett's esophagus extent or location. In this regard the designation short Barrett's is not important in terms of management and prognosis. © 2002 by Am. Coll. of Gastroenterology.

Does troncular vagotomy modify the proliferative gastric lesions induced in rats by duodenogastric reflux?

Purpose: to investigate if combining VT to DGR through the pylorus can modulate the biological behavior of PL induced by DGR and to verify if TV alone can induce morphologic lesions in the gastric mucosa. Methods: 62 male Wistar rats were assigned to four groups: 1 - Control (CT) gastrotomy; 2 - Troncular Vagotomy (TV) plus gastrotomy; 3 - Duodenogastric reflux through the pylorus (R) and 4 - Troncular vagotomy plus DGR (RTV). The animals were killed at the 54 week of the experiment. DGR was obtained by anastomosing a proximal jejunal loop to the anterior gastric wall. TV was performed through isolation and division of the vagal trunks. Gastrotomy consisted of 1 cm incision at the anterior gastric wall. PL were analyzed gross and histologically in the antral mucosa, at the gastrojejunal stoma and at the squamous portion of the gastric mucosa. Results: Groups R and RTV developed exophytic lesions in the antral mucosa (R=90.9%; RTV=100%) and at the gastrojejunal stoma (R=54.54%; RTV=63.63%). Histologically they consisted of proliferative benign lesions, without cellular atypias, diagnosed as adenomatous hyperplasia. Both groups exposed to DGR presented squamous hyperplasia at the squamous portion of the gastric mucosa (R= 54.5%; RTV= 45.4%). TV, alone, did not induce gross or histological alterations in the gastric mucosa. TV did note change the morphologic pattern of the proliferative lesions induced by DGR. Conclusions: DGR induces the development of PL in the pyloric mucosa and at the gastrojejunal stoma. TV does not change the morphologic pattern of the proliferative lesions induced by DGR. TV alone is not able to induce morphologic lesions in the gastric mucosa.

Direct restorative treatment of dental erosion caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease associated with bruxism: a case report

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a gastrointestinal disorder in which stomach acids are chronically regurgitated into the esophagus and oral cavity. Continual exposure of the teeth to these acids can cause severe tooth wear. Dentists are often the first healthcare professionals to diagnose dental erosion in patients with GERD. This article presents a case report of a 27-year-old male smoker with tooth wear and dentin sensitivity caused by GERD associated with bruxism. After diagnosis, a multidisciplinary treatment plan was established. The initial treatment approach consisted of medical follow-up with counseling on dietary and smoking habits, as well as management of the gastric disorders with medication. GERD management and the dental treatment performed for the eroded dentition are described, including diagnosis, treatment planning, and restorative therapy.

Prosthetic rehabilitation of a patient with gastroesophageal reflux disease: 4-year followup

The gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the main causes of dental erosion. The aim of this case presented is to describe the prosthetic rehabilitation of a patient with GERD after 4 years of followup. A 33-year-old male patient complained about tooth sensitivity. The lingual surface of the maxillary anterior teeth and the cusps of the upper and lower posterior teeth presented wear. It was suspected that the feeling of heartburn reported by the patient associated with the intake of sports supplements (isotonics) was causing gastroesophageal changes. The patient was referred to a gastroenterologist and was diagnosed with GERD. Dental treatment was performed with metal-free crowns and porcelain veneers after medical treatment of the disease. With the change in eating habits, the treatment of GERD and lithium disilicate ceramics provided excellent cosmetic results after 4 years and the patient reported satisfaction with the treatment.

Diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is probably one of the most prevalent diseases in the world that also compromises the quality of life of the affected significantly. Its incidence in Brazil is 12%, corresponding to 20 million individuals. OBJECTIVE: To update the GERD management and the new trends on diagnosis and treatment, reviewing the international and Brazilian experience on it. METHOD: The literature review was based on papers published on Medline/Pubmed, SciELO, Lilacs, Embase and Cochrane crossing the following headings: gastroesophageal reflux disease, diagnosis, clinical treatment, surgery, fundoplication. RESULTS: Various factors are involved on GERD physiopathology, the most important being the transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation. Clinical manifestations are heartburn, regurgitation (typical symptoms), cough, chest pain, asthma, hoarseness and throat clearing (atypical symptoms), which may be followed or not by typical symptoms. GERD patients may present complications such as peptic stenosis, hemorrhage, and Barrett's esophagus, which is the most important predisposing factor to adenocarcinoma. The GERD diagnosis must be based on the anamnesis and the symptoms must be evaluated in terms of duration, intensity, frequency, triggering and relief factors, pattern of evolution and impact on the patient's quality of life. The diagnosis requires confirmation with different exams. The goal of the clinical treatment is to relieve the symptoms and surgical treatment is indicated for patients who require continued drug use, with intolerance to prolonged clinical treatment and with GERD complications. CONCLUSION: GERD is a major digestive health problem and affect 12% of Brazilian people. The anamnesis is fundamental for the diagnosis of GERD, with special analysis of the typical and atypical symptoms (duration, intensity, frequency, triggering and relief factors, evolution and impact on the life quality). High digestive endoscopy and esophageal pHmetry are the most sensitive diagnosctic methods. The clinical treatment is useful in controlling the symptoms; however, the great problem is keeping the patients asymptomatic over time. Surgical treatment is indicated for patients who required continued drug use, intolerant to the drugs and with complicated forms of GERD.

Low levels of adherence with proton pump inhibitor therapy contribute to therapeutic failure in gastroesophageal reflux disease

To assess adherence to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment and associated variables in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Cross-sectional and prospective comprising 240 consecutive adult patients, diagnosed with GERD for whom continuous use of standard or double dose of omeprazole had been prescribed. Patients were ranked as ne-GERD (162: 67.5%) or e-GERD classified according to the Los Angeles classification as A (48:20.0%), B (21:8.6%), C (1:0.5%), D (1:0.5%), and Barrett's esophagus (7:2.9%). The Morisky questionnaire was applied to assess adherence to therapy and a GERD questionnaire to assess symptoms and their impact. Adherence was correlated with demographics, cotherapies, comorbidities, treatment duration, symptoms scores, endoscopic findings, and patient awareness of their disease. 126 patients (52.5%) exhibited high level of adherence and 114 (47.5%) low level. Youngers (P= 0.002) or married (O.R. 2.41, P= 0.03 vs. widowers) patients had lower levels of adherence; symptomatic patients exhibited lower adherence (P= 0.02). All other variables studied had no influence on adherence. Patients with GERD attending a tertiary referral hospital in Sao Paulo exhibited a high rate of low adherence to the prescribed PPI therapy that may play a role in the therapy failure. Age <60 years, marital status and being symptomatic were risk factors for low adherence.

Gastroesophageal reflux, dental erosion, and halitosis in epidemiological surveys: a systematic review

In published studies, it has been suggested that dental wear is associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This systematic review was carried out to evaluate the association of GERD, dental erosion, and halitosis and to compare the indices adopted in epidemiological surveys. The Medline database (until October, 2011) was searched systematically to identify studies evaluating the prevalence of oral alterations, such as dental erosion and halitosis, in patients with GERD symptoms. Two reviewers analyzed all reports and the selected studies were evaluated according to the quality of evidence, using the validated Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Full-text copies of a total of 32 publications were obtained in duplicate. Sixteen publications were identified among the citations in the Bibliographic lists of studies that fulfilled the exclusion/inclusion criteria and quality of evidence. The relationship between dental erosion and GERD patients was significant in only seven studies. According to three studies, halitosis could be one of several extraesophageal symptoms or manifestations in GERD patients. In one study, it was found that the mucosa of GERD patients was significantly more acidic in comparison with that of the control group. This systematic review showed that there is a relationship between GERD and oral diseases (dental erosion and halitosis). The epidemiological surveys used different indices to analyze GERD and dental erosion. Further research could investigate the best method for assessing the two diseases.

Characteristics of Reflux Episodes and Symptom Association in Patients With Erosive Esophagitis and Nonerosive Reflux Disease: Study Using Combined Impedance–pH Off Therapy

We sought to compare reflux and symptom association patterns in patients with nonerosive reflux disease (NERD), erosive esophagitis (EE), and in healthy volunteers (HVs).

Laboratory based investigations for diagnosing gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) still remains the most common out- GI-related condition in the out-patient setting. While primary care physicians often use empiric trials with proton pump inhibitors (PPI trial) to diagnose GERD, often specialised tests are required to confirm or exclude gastroesophageal reflux causing esophageal or extraesophageal symptoms. The most commonly used procedures to diagnose GERD include: conventional (catheter based) pH monitoring, wireless esophageal pH monitoring (Bravo), bilirubin monitoring (Bilitec), and combined multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring (MII-pH). Each technique has strengths and limitations of which clinicians and investigators should be aware when deciding which one to choose.

Characteristics of gastro-esophageal reflux episodes in Barrett's esophagus, erosive esophagitis and healthy volunteers

Gastro-esophageal reflux is considered a major culprit in the pathogenesis of Barrett's esophagus (BE). Still, there is controversy on the role of weakly acidic and weakly alkaline reflux in BE. To compare characteristics of reflux episodes patients with BE, erosive esophagitis (EE), and healthy volunteers (HV).

Population-based trend analysis of laparoscopic Nissen and Toupet fundoplications for gastroesophageal reflux disease

The Nissen and Toupet fundoplications are the most commonly used techniques for surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. To date, no population-based trend analysis has been reported examining the choice of procedure and short-term outcomes. This study was designed to analyze trends in the use of Nissen versus Toupet fundoplications, and corresponding short-term outcomes during a 10-year period between 1995 and 2004.

Oesophageal motility and bolus transit abnormalities increase in parallel with the severity of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

Limited data are available regarding the frequency of oesophageal motility and bolus transit abnormalities in subgroups of patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Randomised clinical trial: effects of monotherapy with ADX10059, a mGluR5 inhibitor, on symptoms and reflux events in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

ADX10059, a metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) negative allosteric modulator, has been shown to reduce gastro-oesophageal reflux events and oesophageal acid exposure in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and healthy subjects.

Dental erosion and salivary flow rate in cerebral palsy individuals with gastroesophageal reflux

A high prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) has been observed in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP). One of the main risks for dental erosion is GERD. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of GERD, variables related to dental erosion and associated with GERD (diet consumption, gastrointestinal symptoms, bruxism), and salivary flow rate, in a group of 46 non-institutionalized CP individuals aged from 3 to 13 years.