BMJ  2006;332:88-93 (14 January), doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7533.88

Clinical review

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

¹ King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Introduction

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is present when the passage of gastric contents into the oesophagus causes symptoms or damages the mucosa. Potent suppression of gastric acid secretion with proton pump inhibitors is a highly effective and safe treatment for many patients with symptoms associated with reflux. It would be wrong to conclude, however, that proton pump inhibitors had solved the problem of GORD. The relation between reflux symptoms, endoscopic findings, and exposure of the oesophagus to acid is not straightforward. Some patients with a convincing history of heartburn fail to respond well to proton pump inhibitors. Although symptoms may be severe, at endoscopy the oesophagus is often found to be normal, and pH studies may not disclose the cause of symptoms that persist despite treatment for acid suppression.

Apart from typical symptoms of reflux many other problems have been linked to GORD, including dysphagia, hoarseness, non-cardiac chest pain, and chronic . . . [Full text of this article]

Sources and selection criteria

Who gets reflux disease?

Helicobacter pylori and GORD

Why does reflux occur?

How does the oesophagus respond to reflux?

GORD: a spectrum of disease or a family of diseases?

Extraoesophageal reflux disease: another member of the GORD family

GORD and oesophageal adenocarcinoma: who is at risk?

How to manage GORD: treat first, endoscope later

What to do when proton pump inhibitors fail

Surgical management of GORD

Conclusion

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