Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
- 1 May 2004
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) in Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology
- Vol. 38 (5), 390-402
- https://doi.org/10.1097/00004836-200405000-00002
Abstract
Although Galen first described esophagitis almost 2000 years ago, its relation to acid was only recognized in the 19th century by Rokitansky. Considerably more interest in the symptoms and complications of esophagitis has been evident over the last century, as gastroesophageal reflux disease displaced peptic ulceration and became the principal acid-related disease of our times. Of particular interest has been the recognition of the clinical significance of the previously overlooked extraesophageal manifestations of the disease such as laryngitis, asthma, and sleep disturbance. The evolution of highly effective medical therapy has over the last decade drastically reduced the need for surgical intervention for control of symptoms except under select conditions, especially volume-related reflux and children with refractory symptoms. The proton pump inhibitor class of drugs is indisputably the most effective overall form of management, while individual proton pump inhibitors appear to be equivalent in their efficacy. Issues that remain to be resolved include the management of nonerosive gastroesophageal reflux disease, the long-term dependence of many patients on acid-suppressing medication, and the recognition of atypical manifestations and rare but serious complications of gastroesophageal reflux disease. In this respect, Barrett's esophagus still presents a major biologic and management conundrum for the physicians and scientists alike.Keywords
This publication has 66 references indexed in Scilit:
- Request: Development and psychometric validation of a new evaluative symptom-scale in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)Gastroenterology, 2003
- Pathophysiological Measurement and Results After Laparoscopic Fundoplication for Gastroesophageal Reflux DiseaseSurgery Today, 2003
- Clinical and Histologic Follow-Up After Antireflux Surgery for Barrett's EsophagusJournal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, 2002
- Nissen vs Toupet laparoscopic fundoplicationSurgical Endoscopy, 2002
- Clinical Significance of the Cytochrome P450 2C19 Genetic PolymorphismClinical Pharmacokinetics, 2002
- Early Experience With Laparoscopic Antireflux Surgery in the Rural SettingSouthern Medical Journal, 2001
- Laparoscopic Fundoplication in Children - An Audit of Fifty CasesEuropean Journal of Pediatric Surgery, 1999
- COMMENTJournal of Laparoendoscopic Surgery, 1995
- Appropriate acid suppression in the treatment of acid-related conditionsPharmacology & Therapeutics, 1994
- Initial Experience with Laparoscopic Fundoplication in the Netherlands and Comparison with an Established Technique (Belsey Mark IV)Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, 1993