Increased Incidence of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth During Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can cause diarrhea, enteric infections, and alter the gastrointestinal bacterial population by suppressing the gastric acid barrier. Among patients that received long term PPI treatment, we evaluated the incidence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO; assessed by glucose hydrogen breath test [GHBT]), the risk factors for development of… Read more »

Transoral incisionless fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease in an unselected patient population

BACKGROUND: EsophyX is an endolumenal approach to the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This report describes one of the earliest and largest North American experiences with this device. METHODS: Prospective data were gathered on consecutive patients undergoing EsophyX fundoplication for a 1-year period between September 2007 and March 2009. During this time, the procedure… Read more »

Effect of transoral incisionless fundoplication on symptoms, PPI use, and pH-impedance refluxes of GERD patients.

BACKGROUND: Three previous studies from the same institution have reported that transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) with the EsophyX device is effective for creating a continent gastroesophageal valve and for good functional results as measured only by pH-metry in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect… Read more »

Influence of proton pump inhibitor use in gastrointestinal polyps

Abstract Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the most potent anti-acid agents and are extensively used worldwide. PPI-induced hypergastrinemia is one of the very few side effects associated with these drugs. However, because hypergastrinemia is related to the occurrence of colonic adenomatous polyps, the purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between the occurrence… Read more »

Endoluminal fundoplication (ELF) for GERD using EsophyX: a 12-month follow-up in a single-center experience

BACKGROUND: Several endoscopic antireflux therapies have been proposed to reduce the need for chronic medical therapy or laparoscopic fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Aim of this study was to evaluate the short- and mid-term clinical results of endoluminal fundoplication (ELF) with EsophyX. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From June 2006 to April 2008, 20 patients were… Read more »

Seasonal variation in the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease

BACKGROUND: To examine the seasonal variation in the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) for different gender and age groups and its association with climatic parameters (ambient temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, rainfall, and hours of sunshine). METHODS: A total of 76,636 ambulatory care visits for the treatment of GERD between 2001 and 2006 were… Read more »

Antireflux ‘barriers’: problems with patient recruitment for a new endoscopic antireflux procedure

BACKGROUND: Most first-generation endoscopic antireflux procedures (EARPs) have been withdrawn because of variable success rates, economic considerations, and/or complications. As a result, subsequent methods may meet ‘skepticism’ by physicians and patients. AIMS: To identify potential barriers to patient recruitment for a new EARP METHODS: We prospectively analyzed our recruitment for a phase 2 study of… Read more »

What is left of the endoscopic antireflux devices?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We critically analyze existing endoscopy-based interventions for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The focus is on the effectiveness of available procedures and to delineate goals for future research. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent evaluations of the EndoCinch system reveal poor long-term results and no significant improvement over sham therapy due to poor apposition of mucosa… Read more »