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Query: UMLS:C0017168 (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
 11,783 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Previous studies of the mechanisms that precipitate acid reflux episodes and acid clearance have used unphysiological, short term hospital based data. A new 24 hour pH and motility recording system combined with computerised data analysis have been used to study naturally occurring acid reflux episodes in healthy ambulant volunteers. A variety of events that produced recognisable transdiaphragmatic pressure patterns were associated with acid reflux episodes (particularly belching). Peristaltic waves were the predominant contractions leading to oesophageal acid clearance and were the commonest contraction type during reflux episodes. Peristaltic wave parameters (amplitude, velocity, frequency, and percentage proportion) varied during different periods of the 24 hour recording. This study has produced new information about 24 hour oesophageal function and naturally occurring acid reflux which will provide a basis for comparison with patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
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PMID:Pressure events surrounding oesophageal acid reflux episodes and acid clearance in ambulant healthy volunteers. 849 88

This paper identifies the symptom profile associated with the four main diagnoses of functional digestive disorders (dyspepsia, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), gastritis, and constipation) made by general practitioners in Belgium. Results are also presented from a multicentre study in which the effects of cisapride, administered as an oral tablet or suspension, were evaluated in patients with these functional digestive disorders. Analysis of symptom patterns revealed that early satiety and postprandial abdominal bloating were the most prominent symptoms, followed by eructation (belching), heartburn, regurgitation, postprandial epigastric burning or discomfort, and nausea. These symptoms occurred in all diagnostic groups. However, different symptom patterns were associated with each of the disorders; for example, heartburn and regurgitation were the core symptoms in patients diagnosed as having GORD, early satiety and abdominal bloating were characteristic of patients diagnosed with dyspepsia, and fasting or postprandial pain were characteristic of patients given the diagnosis of gastritis. Therefore, it appears that these diagnoses used by general practitioners in Belgium closely correspond to reflux-like, dysmotility-like and ulcer-like dyspepsia, as defined by an international working party. Cisapride improved the core symptoms in about 80% of patients with GORD or dyspepsia, relieved all epigastric symptoms in about 80% of patients with gastritis, and significantly decreased the use of laxatives and increased stool frequency in constipated patients. Cisapride was well tolerated and thus appears to be a useful option in the treatment of functional digestive disorders in a general practice setting.
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PMID:Functional dyspepsia versus other functional gastrointestinal disorders: a practical approach in Belgian general practices. 851 55

From January 1979 to May 1995, 18 patients (4 men, 14 women) with a mean age of 75.4 +/- 12.5 yr underwent surgery for a complicated paraesophageal hiatus hernia. In 5 patients, the complication was the first sign of the diagnosis. Thirteen patients had a history of digestive, respiratory, or cardiac symptoms (mean duration of symptoms 74 mo.; range 2-240 mo.); 9 of them were aware that they had a hiatus hernia. Ten patients presented with acute obstruction (associated with a perforation in 1 case, jaundice in 1 case, and righy lower lobe pneumonia in 1 case). Hemorrhage occurred in 6 patients (hematemesis 4 cases, melena 2 cases). One patient had a perforation and another had an abscess of the lower right lobe. Surgery was performed via a transabdominal approach in all cases (5 times as an emergency, 12 times as a delayed emergency procedure, and once as an elective procedure). The procedure was delayed in 13 cases because of successful nasogastric decompression. All patients underwent reintegration of the stomach, diaphragmatic repair and gastropexy. An antireflux procedure was performed in 14 cases. Seven patients had an ancillary procedure (including one splenectomy following decapsulation). There were no postoperative deaths. Two patients who underwent emergency surgery developed a benign complication. The outcome of 17 patients is known; none of them developed a recurrence. One patient who did not undergo an antireflux procedure presented with gastroesophageal reflux; another experienced pain during eructation. In conclusion, nearly two-thirds of all patients who present with an acute complication can benefit from medical preparation before surgery, a strategy that improves results.
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PMID:[Results of surgical treatment of complicated paraesophageal hernias]. 875 21

To report the incidence of pharyngeal acid reflux events in patients with laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS), we studied 12 patients with LTS and 34 healthy volunteers. All patients and controls underwent ambulatory 24-hour 3-site pH monitoring. In ambulatory pH monitoring, pH was recorded at manometrically determined sites of the pharynx, proximal esophagus, and distal esophagus. For all 3 sites, a pH value below 4 that was not related to the time of oral intake or belching was considered an acid reflux event. Eight of the 12 LTS patients exhibited pharyngeal acid reflux events. In the control group, pharyngeal acid reflux events were documented in 7 subjects. In between-group comparison, the number of reflux episodes and the percent acid exposure time in the pharynx were greater in LTS patients than in controls. Reflux parameters of the proximal and distal esophagus in LTS patients were similar to those of controls. The incidence of pharyngeal acid reflux events in LTS patients was higher than that in controls. It is suggested that identification and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux in patients will significantly simplify and improve the results of treatment for LTS.
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PMID:Evaluation of gastroesophageal reflux in patients with laryngotracheal stenosis. 986 30

Patients admitted acutely to hospital may be at risk of increased morbidity and mortality as a result of gastroesophageal reflux and its complications. The recognized association of gastroesophageal reflux with cardiac and respiratory disease, the use of drugs that reduce lower esophageal sphincter pressure, and the supine position in which many patients are nursed may increase the risk of gastroesophageal reflux. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of refluxlike symptoms in a series of consecutive unselected patients admitted acutely through the accident and emergency department of a district general hospital and to study the effect of hospitalization on these symptoms. Patients were interviewed by questionnaire on two occasions: immediately following admission and again 7-10 days later. The frequency of symptoms of heartburn, acid regurgitation, dysphagia, nausea, and belching were recorded on a 6-point scale, in addition to whether these symptoms occurred at night. Medication history, the number of days spent on bed rest, nasogastric intubation, and operation history were also recorded. In all, 275 patients were interviewed, of whom 229 had a second interview; 27% (62) had symptoms at least once a week (49% reported symptoms at least once a month) prior to admission, of whom 4% (9) had daily heartburn and/or acid regurgitation. Following admission to hospital there was a significant (P < 0.001) fall in the prevalence and frequency of refluxlike symptoms. There was a significant association of refluxlike symptoms with number of days spent in bed (P < 0.05) and with the use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs in hospital (P < 0.0001). Logistic regression analysis confirmed the association of NSAIDs with refluxlike symptoms. Nasogastric intubation and surgery were not associated with heartburn. In conclusion, symptoms of heartburn and acid regurgitation become less frequent following admission to hospital. This probably relates to a reduction in physical exertion following hospital admission but may reflect a reduction in anxiety levels or treatment of underlying disease. Patients on prolonged bed rest and those given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are at increased risk of refluxlike symptoms and may require antireflux measures.
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PMID:Symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux in acutely hospitalized patients. 995 35

While many definitions exist, dyspepsia is best considered a symptom complex (not a diagnosis) thought to arise in the upper gastrointestinal tract, unrelated to defecation. The symptom complex includes: upper abdominal/epigastric pain or discomfort, postprandial fullness, bloating, belching, early satiety, anorexia, nausea, retching, vomiting, heartburn and regurgitation. Patients with typical gastroesophageal reflux, biliary colic and irritable bowel syndrome should not be considered to have dyspepsia. After investigations, if a cause of dyspepsia is found, this is 'organic or structural' dyspepsia. If no structural cause is found, this is best called 'functional dyspepsia', subclassified into a) ulcer-like b) dysmotility-like c) reflux-like and d) unspecified dyspepsia. This symptom guided classification should be shifted to the first presentation with uninvestigated dyspepsia, prior to any investigations, to define a clinically useful guide to patient care. As there is considerable symptom overlap, it may be useful to combine together the ulcer and reflux-like groups into an acid-related dyspepsia group. In 1998, another approach would be to screen dyspeptic patients with an H. pylori test and classify them as H. pylori positive and negative dyspepsia.
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PMID:Definitions of dyspepsia: time for a reappraisal. 1002 67

Since Helicobacter pylori (Hp) was first isolated in 1983, much work has been carried out on the pathogenic effects of this organism. Hp infection is common in humans and currently is the most important etiologic agent in the development of chronic active gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, carcinoma and Malt-lymphoma of the stomach. Moreover Hp infection has also been associated with various extradigestive diseases. At present, a role of Hp infection in dyspepsia is discussed. Dyspepsia is defined by persistence of pain, burning or discomfort localised to the upper abdomen; some authors include in dyspepsia symptoms such as belching, bloating, alitosis, nausea, postprandial repletion, vomiting and regurgitation. In absence of any underlying pathologies, such as peptic ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux, pancreatitis, biliary tract disease or others, dyspepsia is defined as functional or idiopathic dyspepsia. Functional dyspepsia may be distinct in ulcer, reflux or dysmotility-like dyspepsia and unspecified dyspepsia. Hp infection is common in dyspeptic patients and a role of this bacterium has been postulated mostly in ulcer-like dyspepsia. Mechanisms by when Hp induces dyspeptic symptoms are uncertain; bacterial cytotoxins, phlogosis mediators, activity of chronic gastritis Helicobacter-related and host immune response probably play an important role in pathogenesis of functional dyspepsia. However, dyspepsia is not present only in infected patients; therefore other pathogenic factors may be implicated in expression of dyspeptic symptoms in uninfected subjects, such as gastric dysmotility, modifications of gastric output or altered visceral sensibility, psychological factors, gastroesophageal reflux and irritable bowel.
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PMID:[Dyspepsia and Helicobacter pylori]. 1036 46

The meaning and definition of dyspepsia continues to challenge clinical investigators and has led to the setting up of several international working teams. However, confusion continues to reign around this term. The effort to classify patients with dyspepsia into subgroups according to their most predominant symptoms has failed to provide clues to the underlying disease, or even to discriminate between functional and organic dyspepsia. With these limitations in mind, the question arises: is there any reason for putting further effort into developing a world-wide definition of dyspepsia when, in addition to the aforementioned shortcomings, further variables such as geographical region, ethnic background, culture and sanitary resources come into play? The answer is that only by establishing a reproducible methodology for individual symptom assessment using a well-defined protocol will comparisons of the prevalence of dyspepsia and the impact of different therapeutic interventions become possible around the world. The data on dyspepsia prevalence, nearly all arising from studies in a few developed geographical areas and countries, are of the order of 1-4% of all consultations in all primary care medicine. However, estimates of adults affected by dyspepsia are as high as 20-40%. The magnitude of these statistics underlines the necessity for further work on the concept of dyspepsia and its major functional subgroups, following the exclusion of any organic causes. Issues such as 'investigate dyspepsia before starting with any kind of treatment or treat dyspepsia before further investigation' or the debate about whether to 'eradicate or ignore Helicobacter pylori in functional dyspepsia' will remain unresolved unless studies performed throughout the world use widely comparable and acceptable definitions and criteria for these conditions. Since the first international working party report in 1988, definitions of dyspepsia have included the description of 'upper abdominal pain or discomfort' and, more recently, have specified 'pain or discomfort centered in the upper abdomen' in order to emphasise further the site of origin as the upper alimentary tract (stomach-duodenum). However, a major change was evident in the more recent Rome I and Rome II reports, in which the symptoms heartburn, acid regurgitation, and belching were excluded from the definition of dyspepsia because of their relation to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and aerophagia. The intention to define a set of symptoms for dyspepsia is good, but we continue to be faced with overlaps. How should the patient with epigastric pain and heartburn after endoscopic exclusion of duodenal ulcer and reflux esophagitis be classified: dyspepsia or GERD? In cases of abnormal gastroesophageal reflux, 24-h pH monitoring could help to resolve this dilemma, but what if this investigation turns out to be normal? In this field, we need to perform careful studies. In addition, we need to consider the lifestyle and cultural habits of people around the world when translating upper gastrointestinal symptoms into dyspepsia. A step forward in the definition of dyspepsia was attempted by the recent working party for the Rome II consensus on functional gastrointestinal disorders (N. Talley et al.). In this project, the symptoms of dyspepsia were individually described not by a single term, but by painting a 'word picture', to make it easier for patients to express their symptoms, and give doctors and clinical investigators a better understanding of the 'dyspeptic problem' of each individual. It is advisable to follow this approach, since a clear picture of a patient's symptoms, including their duration and intensity, in association with the modern technical approaches that allow investigation beyond organic causes of dyspepsia, will lead to progress in our understanding and better communication about this problem within the medical community, and ultimately to better treatment.
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PMID:Current concepts in dyspepsia: a world perspective. 1044 9

The introduction of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and laparoscopic fundoplication in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease offered an opportunity for definitive healing. The indication for surgery is the failure of medical treatment, recurrence of symptoms following conservative treatment, severe side effects of the medication, and the patient's wish to stop taking drugs. The laparoscopic treatment has a low rate of complications. Apart from temporary dysphagia (30%), rapid satiety, increased flatulence and suppressed eructation are possible undesirable sequelae. Intra-operative bleeding and organ perforation (1%) are major feared occurrences. The rate of conversion to open surgery is 5.8%, and the mortality rate is 0.1%. Persistent dysphagia in 3.4% may be caused by a slipped cuff. A revision procedure is necessary in 0.7% of the patients. Patient satisfaction with the results of the operation ranges between 87 and 100%.
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PMID:[A retaining dam against reflux. Laparoscopic fundoplication helps even in stubborn cases]. 1087 18

Although Nissen fundoplication controls gastroesophageal reflux disease effectively, it is associated with an incidence of side effects. For this reason we have investigated the use of a laparoscopic 180-degree anterior fundoplication as a technique that has the potential to control reflux, but with less associated postoperative dysphagia and fewer gas-related side effects. Good short-term (6-month) outcomes have been previously reported within the content of a randomized trial. This report details the technique we used and describes the outcome of this procedure with longer follow-up in a much larger group of patients. The outcome for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease who underwent a laparoscopic anterior 180-hemifundoplication was determined. Clinical follow-up was carried out prospectively by an independent scientist who applied a standardized questionnaire yearly following surgery. This questionnaire evaluated symptoms of reflux, postoperative problems including dysphagia, gas bloat, ability to belch, and overall satisfaction with clinical outcome. From July 1995 to May 1999, a total ofc107 patients underwent a laparoscopic anterior hemifundoplication. Four patients underwent further surgery for recurrent heartburn, and persistent troublesome dysphagia occurred in one. At 1 year 89% of patients remained free of reflux symptoms, and at 3 years 84% remained symptom free. Of those with symptoms of reflux, approximately half of them had only mild symptoms. The overall incidence and severity of dysphagia for liquids and solids was not altered by partial fundoplication. Epigastric bloating that could not be relieved by belching was uncommon, and only 11% of the patients at 1 year and 10% at 3 years following surgery were unable to belch normally. Overall satisfaction with the outcome of surgery remained high at 3 years' follow-up. Laparoscopic anterior partial fundoplication is an effective operation for gastroesophageal reflux, with a low incidence of side effects and a good overall outcome.
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PMID:Outcome of laparoscopic anterior 180-degree partial fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease. 1198 90


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