The development of the GERD-HRQL symptom severity instrument

Abstract The Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease-Health Related Quality of Life (GERD-HRQL) instrument was introduced approximately 10 years ago to provide a quantitative method of measuring symptom severity in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Since that time the instrument has been used to assess treatment response to medication, endoscopic procedures, and surgery for GERD. However, the development of… Read more »

Acid has antiproliferative effects in nonneoplastic Barrett’s epithelial cells

OBJECTIVES: For patients with Barrett’s esophagus, physicians commonly prescribe antisecretory medications in dosages above those required to heal reflux esophagitis because acid has been shown to have proproliferative and antiapoptotic effects on Barrett’s cancer cells and on Barrett’s mucosal explants. For a number of reasons, these model systems may not be ideal for determining the… Read more »

Proton pump inhibitors reduce gallbladder function

BACKGROUND: In the authors’ previous study of gallbladder function before and after fundoplication, 58% of the patients demonstrated preoperative gallbladder motor dysfunction, and 86% of those retested after operation and cessation of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) normalized. Because no study has directly assessed the impact of antisecretory agents on gallbladder function, this study measured gallbladder… Read more »

White wine and beer induce gastro-esophageal reflux in patients with reflux disease

BACKGROUND: An induction of gastro-oesophageal reflux has been reported after ingestion of alcoholic beverages in healthy volunteers. However, it is unknown whether reflux in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease patients will be enhanced by the ingestion of alcoholic beverages. AIM: To investigate the effects of wine and beer on postprandial reflux in reflux patients. METHODS: Twenty-five patients… Read more »

Are lifestyle measures effective in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease? An evidence-based approach

Lifestyle modifications are first-line therapy for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We applied an evidence-based approach to determine the efficacy of lifestyle measures for GERD management. We used PubMed and Ovid to perform a search of the literature published between 1975 and 2004 using the key words heartburn, GERD, smoking, alcohol, obesity, weight loss,… Read more »

Barrett’s esophagus and medications that relax the lower esophageal sphincter

OBJECTIVES: Medications that may increase gastroesophageal reflux could be risk factors for esophageal adenocarcinoma; however, epidemiologic studies present conflicting results. We evaluated patients with a high-risk condition, Barrett’s esophagus, to identify risk factors that may act early in the carcinogenic process. METHODS: We conducted a nested case-control study within a large integrated health-services organization. Electronic… Read more »

Endoluminal fundoplication (ELF): evolution of EsophyX, a new surgical device for transoral surgery

A novel endoluminal fundoplication (ELF) technique using a trans-oral and fastener-deploying device (EsophyX, EndoGastric Solutions) was developed and evaluated for feasibility, safety and the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in a series of bench, animal, human (phase 1, phase 2, commercial registry) studies. The studies verified biological compatibility, durability and non-toxicity of the polypropylene… Read more »