O refluxo gastroesofágico e a relação mãe e bebê: estudo de caso / Gastroesophageal reflux and the mother-child relations: a case study / Le reflux gastro-œsophagien et les relations mère-enfant: une étude de cas / Reflujo gastroesofágico y la relación madre-hijo: un estudio de caso

O presente artigo problematiza aspectos afetivos inerentes à relação materno-filial que podem estar associados ao surgimento e estabelecimento de sintomas psicossomáticos de refluxo gastroesofágico no bebê de até 1 ano de idade. Para tanto, apresenta-se estudo de caso de uma díade mãe-bebê auxiliado por entrevista semiestruturada, aplicação das pranchas 1, 2 e 7MF do teste de apercepção temática e observação naturalista. Cada instrumento foi analisado qualitativamente e teve seus resultados integrados e articulados à teoria psicanalítica. Os principais resultados apontaram certa fragilidade egóica e necessidade de apoio social por parte da mãe, compatíveis com o período do puerpério. São discutidas possíveis maneiras de funcionamento do psiquismo materno, por exemplo, quando sobrecarregado com afetos ansiosos, há sobredeterminação de sintomas psicofuncionais no bebê, os quais, por sua vez, causam efeitos no modo como a mãe se posiciona no exercício da maternagem suficientemente boa, marcando um interjogo relacional

This article discusses affective aspects inherent to mother-child relations that may be associated with the onset and establishment of psychosomatic gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in infants up to 1 year old. A case study of a mother-child dyad was performed by conducting semi-structured interviews, applying the 1, 2 and 7MF cards of the Thematic Apperception Test and using naturalistic observation. Instruments were analyzed qualitatively and their results were integrated and linked to psychoanalytic theoretical framework. Results pointed to a certain egoic fragility and the need for social support for the mother compatible with the puerperium. It also discusses possible ways in which the maternal psyche functions. When overloaded with anxious affections, for example, it overdetermines psychofunctional symptoms in the baby which, in turn, affects how the mother positions herself in the exercise of good maternity, marking a relational interplay

Cet article traite des aspects affectifs inhérents aux relations mère-enfant qui peuvent être associés à l'émergence et à l'installation de symptômes psychosomatiques de reflux gastro-œsophagien chez les nourrissons jusqu'à l'âge d'un an. Une étude de cas d'une dyade mère-enfant a été réalisée en menant des entretiens semi-structurés, en appliquant les planches 1, 2 et 7MF du Test d'Aperception Thématique et en utilisant l'observation naturaliste. Les instruments ont été analysés qualitativement et leurs résultats ont été intégrés et reliés au cadre théorique psychanalytique. Les résultats ont mis en évidence une certaine fragilité égoïque et le besoin d'un soutien social pour la mère compatible avec la puerpéralité. L'étude aborde également les modes de fonctionnement possibles de la psyché maternelle. Lorsque celle-ci est surchargée d'affections anxieuses, elle surdétermine des symptômes psychofonctionnels chez le bébé qui, à leur tour, affectent la façon dont la mère se positionne dans l'exercice d'une maternité suffisamment bonne, marquant une interaction relationnelle

Este artículo discute aspectos afectivos inherentes a la relación madre-hijo que pueden estar asociados con la aparición y establecimiento de síntomas psicosomáticos del reflujo gastroesofágico en el bebé de hasta 1 año de edad. Para ello, se realiza un estudio de caso de una díada madre-hijo, con la aplicación de entrevistas semiestructuradas, con el uso de los tableros 1, 2 y 7MF del Test de Apercepción Temática y una observación naturalista. Los instrumentos se analizaron cualitativamente, y sus resultados se integraron y vincularon al marco teórico psicoanalítico. Los principales resultados apuntaban a una cierta fragilidad egoica y la necesidad de apoyo social de la madre, compatibles con el puerperio. Se discuten posibles formas de funcionamiento de la psique materna, por ejemplo, cuando se sobrecarga de afectos ansiosos, sobredeterminando síntomas psicofuncionales en el bebé que, a su vez, provocan efectos sobre cómo se siente la madre en el ejercicio de una maternaje suficiente buena, marcando una interacción relacional

A comparison of the efficacy and safety of complementary and alternative therapies for gastroesophageal reflux disease: A protocol for network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases in the world and is showing increasing prevalence in some countries. The disease has a chronic course that leads to a significant decline in the quality of life of patients and is associated with a high economic burden worldwide. And complementary and alternative medicine is used to treat the disease. Over the past few decades, a number of randomized controlled trials and systematic evaluations have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of different types of complementary and alternative medicine methods, so there is an urgent need to summarize and further evaluate these studies. METHODS: We will search the following sources without restrictions for date, language, or publication status: PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) Cochrane Library, and EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Bio-medicine Database, VIP Chinese Periodical Database, Wan Fang Database. We will apply a combination of Medical Subject Heading and free-text terms incorporating database-specific controlled vocabularies and text words to implement search strategies. We will also search the ongoing trials registered in the World Health Organization's International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Besides, the previous relevant reviews conducted on complementary and alternative therapies for GERD and reference lists of included studies will also be searched. RESULTS: This study will provide a reliable basis for the treatment of GERD with complementary and alternative therapies. CONCLUSIONS: The findings will be an available reference to evaluate the efficacy and safety of complementary and alternative therapies on GERD and may provide decision-making reference on which method to choose for clinicians. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42020169332.

The Proton Pump Inhibitor Nonresponder: a Behavioral Approach to Improvement and Wellness.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a difficult to treat medical condition, where nearly 40% of patients are refractory to standard medical intervention, which typically begins with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). These PPI nonresponders represent a population of patients, where treatment planning must be individualized; multidisciplinary and psychiatric comorbidities should be considered. This review highlights treatment options that include neuromodulators, lifestyle, and psychological interventions for the PPI nonresponder. RECENT FINDINGS: Mental health specialists in the field of psychogastroenterology can aid in the management of esophageal hypersensitivity, which can drive the symptom experience of a PPI nonresponder. Considerations for comorbid anxiety and depression in this population require careful assessment and treatment. Physicians are encouraged to create realistic expectations for symptom management and offer multidisciplinary options for treatment early in care. Patients will frequently benefit from working with a GI psychologist and find value in behavioral interventions.

Comorbid risks of psychological disorders and gastroesophageal reflux disorder using the national health insurance service-National Sample Cohort: A STROBE-compliant article.

This study was performed to examine the comorbidity risks between psychological disorders, such as depression, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) using nationally representative data from a National Sample Cohort of the National Health Insurance Service in Korea.The National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort (NHIS-NSC) database from 2010 to 2012 was used in this study. GERD patients were defined as those diagnosed with specific tests, with screened medication, and without any other gastrointestinal diseases. Propensity score matching for age, sex, and economic status was applied to form a control cohort. Incidence rate, relative risks, Cox proportional-hazards modeling, and Kaplan-Meier analysis were applied to examine the differences between the GERD and control cohorts with regard to the risk of subsequent psychological disorders.The results showed that patients in the GERD cohort (n = 9503) had significantly higher risks of psychological disorders than those without GERD (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-1.47, P = .006). Specifically, the risk of depressive disorder was significantly higher for patients in the GERD cohort than in the control cohort (adjusted HR 1.41, 95% CI 1.04-1.91, P = .027). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the estimated probability of psychological disorders was significantly higher in the GERD cohort compared with the control cohort (log-rank test, P = .007).This study suggested that GERD may be a risk factor for subsequent psychological disorders, specifically, depressive disorder. The results of this study in GERD patients compared with non-GERD patients in Korea suggested that psychological disorders and GERD may be inter-related.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease: the results of videolaparoscopic fundoplication at five years after surgery.

INTRODUCTION: GERD reduces social activity and significantly affects the quality of life (QOL) of patients and the risk of complications (cancer of the esophagus, esophageal-gastric bleeding, strictures, perforation) is one of the most pressing problems of medicine of XXI century. The aim of the research is to evaluate the results of videolaparoscopic fundoplication at five years after surgery in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied results of videolaparoscopic antireflux surgery (VLAS) during 2009-2016 years in Department of Surgery and Endoscopy Faculty of postgraduate medical education Lviv National Medical University. We have gathered the group of 195 patients who underwent VLAS. RESULTS: Among the complications of GERD, Barrett's esophagus was diagnosed in 9 (19.6 %), peptic ulcer of the esophagus in 10 (21.7 %), peptic stricture of the esophagus in 4 (8.7 %), esophageal-gastric bleeding in 23 (50.0 %) patients, including Malory-Weiss syndrome in 18, erosive ulcerous bleeding in 5 people. In 176 (90.2 %) patients completed Nissen fundoplication, in 14 (7.2 %) - Toupe, 5 (2.6 %) - Dor fundoplication. We use standart surgical techniques. The mean operative time was 95±25,2 minutes. In 2 patients after surgery capnothorax on left side had occurred and treated. The mean hospital stay was 3±2,4 days. There were no serious complications in the time of surgery and after it, as well as no conversions or repeated antireflux surgeries at five years after surgery. CONCLUSION: Videolaparoscopic antireflux surgery for GERD is an equally effective alternative to medical therapy and should be offered to appropriately selected patients by skilled surgeons.

An innovative mindfulness and educational care approach in an adult patient affected by gastroesophageal reflux: the IARA model.

Patients affected by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have a poor quality of life caused by several manifestations such as cough, asthma, laryngitis and dental erosion. The clinical conditions are highly disabling for patients and symptoms are difficult to manage. These conditions lead to many discomforts which contribute to an increase of the disease perception. For these reasons, it is important to improve the interventions on psychological aspects that ameliorate the patients' quality of life. The application of IARA model has proven useful to decrease GERD symptoms, distress and medication intake and to increase adherence to care, improving the patient's quality of life.

Short-term and long-term effect of diaphragm biofeedback training in gastroesophageal reflux disease: an open-label, pilot, randomized trial.

This study investigated the effectiveness of diaphragm biofeedback training (DBT) for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A total of 40 patients with GERD treated at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital between September 2004 and July 2006 were randomized to receive DBT and rabeprazole proton pump inhibitor (PPI) or rabeprazole alone. The DBT + rabeprazole group received DBT during the 8-week initial treatment; the rabeprazole group did not. During the 6-month follow up, all patients took acid suppression according to their reflux symptoms, and the patients in the DBT + rabeprazole group were required to continue DBT. The primary outcome (used for power analysis) was the amount of acid suppression used at 6 months. Secondary outcomes were reflux symptoms, health-related quality of life (HRQL), and esophageal motility differences after the 8-week treatment compared with baseline. Acid suppression usage significantly decreased in the DBT + rabeprazole group compared with the rabeprazole group at 6 months (P < 0.05). At 8 weeks, reflux symptoms and GERD-HRQL were significantly improved in both groups (P < 0.05), without difference between them. Crural diaphragm tension (CDT) and gastroesophageal junction pressure (GEJP) significantly increased in the DBT + rabeprazole group (P < 0.05), but without change in lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure. There was no significant change in CDT, GEJP, and LES pressure compared with baseline in the rabeprazole group. In conclusion, long-term DBT could reduce acid suppression usage by enhancing the anti-reflux barrier, providing a non-pharmacological maintenance therapy and reducing medical costs for patients with GERD.

Revaluation of the efficacy of magnetic sphincter augmentation for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease.

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a prevalent disease which severely impacts the quality of life of the patients. The surgical options are limited to such patients who are not satisfied with medical therapies. Magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) is a new antireflux surgical technique for treating GERD, which could physiologically reinforce the lower esophageal sphincter by magnetic force. Many clinical and animal studies have focused on this new therapy. The purpose of this work was to review the feasibility, efficacy and safety of MSA as a new treatment for GERD. METHODS: We performed a PubMed database search for the MSA and GERD-related studies between 2008 and September 22, 2015. One animal study, two case reports and fifteen clinical studies were identified in this review. RESULTS: The MSA device reinforces the lower esophageal sphincter to antireflux via magnetic force. The feasibility of this laparoscopic technique has been proved by the experimental and clinical studies. The clinical studies demonstrate that MSA treatment could effectively reduce the percent time of esophageal acid exposure (pH < 4) and improve the GERD health-related quality of life score. The operation time of MSA is shorter than that of the Nissen fundoplication, and the efficacy of MSA treatment is equal to that of fundoplication. The most frequent postoperative complication is dysphagia, and the majority of them could be self-resolved with conservative treatment. CONCLUSION: MSA (or LINX) devices provide an alternative surgical option for the patients who had failed in medical therapy. This review of the current literatures demonstrates that MSA is as effective as the medical and conventional surgical therapies. In the future, MSA will play a more important role in the treatment of GERD because of its unique advantage.

Two-year results of intermittent electrical stimulation of the lower esophageal sphincter treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

BACKGROUND: Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) electrical stimulation therapy (EST) has been shown to improve outcome in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients at 1 year. The aim of this open-label extension trial (NCT01578642) was to study the 2-year safety and efficacy of LES-EST in GERD patients. METHODS: GERD patients responsive partially to proton pump inhibitors (PPI) with off-PPI GERD health-related quality of life (HRQL) of ≥20, 24-hour esophageal pH ≤4.0 for >5% of the time, hiatal hernia ≤3 cm, and esophagitis LA grade C or lower participated in this trial. Bipolar stitch electrodes and a pulse generator (EndoStim BV, The Hague, The Netherlands) were implanted laparoscopically. LES-EST at 20 Hz, 215 µs, 3-8 mAmp was delivered over 30-minute sessions, 6-12 sessions per day, starting on day 1 after implantation. Patients were evaluated using GERD-HRQL, symptom diaries, Short Form-12, and esophageal pH testing at regular intervals. Stimulation sessions were optimized based on residual symptoms and esophageal pH at follow-up. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients (mean age [SD] = 52 [12] years; 14 men) were implanted successfully; 23 patients participated in the 2-year extension trial, and 21 completed their 2-year evaluation. At 2 years, there was improvement in their median GERD-HRQL on LES-EST compared with both their on-PPI (9 vs 0; P = .001) and off-PPI (23.5 vs. 0; P < .001) baseline scores. Median 24-hour distal esophageal acid exposure improved from 10% at baseline to 4% (per-protocol analysis; P < .001) at 2 years with 71% demonstrating either normalization or a ≥50% decrease in their distal esophageal acid exposure. All except 5 patients (16/21) reported complete cessation of PPI use; only 2 patients were using a PPI regularly (≥50% of days). There was significant improvement in sleep quality and daily symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation on LES-EST. At baseline, 92% of the subjects (22/24) reported that they were "unsatisfied" with their condition off-PPI and 71% (17/24) on-PPI compared with 0% (0/21) "unsatisfied" at the 24-month visits on LES-EST. There were no device- or therapy-related serious adverse events and no untoward sensation or dysphagia reported with LES-EST. CONCLUSION: LES-EST is safe and effective for treating patients with GERD over a period of 2 years. LES-EST resulted in a significant and sustained improvement in GERD symptoms, and esophageal acid exposure and eliminated PPI use in majority of patients (16 of 21). Further, LES-EST was not associated with any gastrointestinal side effects or adverse events.

Interactions during feeding with mothers and their infants with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux.

OBJECTIVES: To examine whether maternal-child interaction during feedings was suboptimal in dyads in which the infant had gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and to compare massage therapy to a nonmassage therapy sham treatment in improving the mother-child interaction in these dyads. DESIGN: In this randomized, controlled pilot study, infants received massage therapy (n=18) or a nonmassage touch/holding sham treatment (n=18). Mothers, data collectors, and the investigator who scored the feeding observations were blinded to group assignment. SETTINGS/LOCATION: Dyads were recruited from pediatric care providers in the Denver metropolitan area and online advertisements at the University of Colorado. Treatments were given in the home of the dyad. PARTICIPANTS: Healthy infants, born at 38-42 weeks gestational age, were 5-10 weeks of age at enrollment; had a score of at least 16 on the Infant Gastroesophageal Reflux Questionnaire-Revised; and were diagnosed with GERD by their pediatric provider. Mothers were English speaking and at least 18 years of age. INTERVENTIONS: Treatments were given for 30 minutes twice weekly for 6 weeks. A certified infant massage therapist administered massage, and a registered nurse or physical therapist experienced with infants administered the control treatment. OUTCOME MEASURES: Maternal and infant scores on the Nursing Child Assessment of Feeding Scale (NCAFS). RESULTS: NCAFS scores were significantly lower than national norms. Small to moderately sized effects showing improvement in the massage group relative to the nonmassage group were seen for Sensitivity to Cues, Social-Emotional Growth Fostering, Cognitive Growth Fostering, and Clarity of Cues (Cohen d) and ranged from 0.24 to 0.56. CONCLUSIONS: Mothers and infants with GERD experience significantly worse interactions than those without GERD. Massage given twice weekly by a professional trended toward improved interaction during feeding. Daily maternal administration of massage may have a positive effect on the relationship.

Qualitative evaluation of osteopathic manipulative therapy in a patient with gastroesophageal reflux disease: a brief report.

CONTEXT: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic condition that affects a growing number of people and is currently among the most common disorders seen in clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: To develop a protocol for the management of GERD with osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMTh) applied to the diaphragm and esophagus, and to evaluate the protocol's effectiveness using the quality of life scale (QS-GERD) for the disease. METHODS: In this single-blinded prospective study, an OMTh protocol focusing on the diaphragm and esophagus was applied to a single patient, who had received a diagnosis of GERD 4 years previously. Outcomes were measured using the QS-GERD, which has a total possible score ranging from 0 to 45 (the lower the score, the better the quality of life) and a level of satisfaction from very satisfied to incapacitated. The OMTh protocol was applied at 3 sessions (initial session, second session 1 week after the first, and third session 2 weeks after the second), and the patient completed the QS-GERD 4 times (before the first session, before the third session, and 2 and 4 weeks after the third session). RESULTS: The OMTh protocol was administered without adverse events, and the patient reported positive outcomes after the third session. The QS-GERD showed a score improvement from 13 of 45 to 4 of 45. CONCLUSION: The results in the present report show that OMTh applied to the diaphragm and esophagus may improve symptoms of GERD and should be added to the somatovisceral approach to the care of patients with this condition.

[Impact of laser therapy on PGE2 level, 24-hour pH-metry changes, and quality of life in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease].

AIM: To study the impact of low-intensity laser irradiation on 24-hour pH-metry parameters and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred and twelve patients aged 19 to 79 years with GERD were examined. Seventy-eight patients received a 10-day course of continuous intravenous laser therapy using a Matrix VLOK laser therapy apparatus (Matrix, Russia) with a wavelength of 0.405 pm, radiation power at the exit of a main light guide 1-1.5 mW, pulse rate 80 Hz. The indicators under study were determined before and after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, the intravenous laser therapy group showed a significant increase in PGE2 (1376 +/- 93 pg/ml) to the levels typical of those in healthy individuals and a significant decrease in all esophageal pH-metry parameters; the DeMeester score achieved normal values, and all quality of life (QL) indicators, except for physical function index, significantly improved (10.2 +/- 5.7; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings are suggestive of elevated PGE2 levels and improved QL during laser therapy.

[The application of resort factors for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease].

The application of SMT-phoresis chloride-iodine-bromine brine for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) had positive influence on its clinical course and improved the motor-evacuative function of the stomach. Also, the psychoemotional conditions of the patients improved. It is concluded that SMT-phoresis of the chloride-iodine-bromine brine applied at the Uva health resort can be used either as monotherapy or included in the combined treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease

[The efficiency of structural resonance electromagnetotherapy for the treatment of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease].

The results of application of structural resonance electromagnetotherapy (SRT) for the treatment of patients presenting with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are presented. They show that SRT has positive influence on the neurohumoral regulation of the lower oesophageal sphincter, ensures psychocorrection, and optimizes the vegetative regulation. Taken together, these effects result in the marked clinical improvement in patients presenting with GERD. It is concluded that structural resonance electromagnetotherapy can be recommended as an efficacious and pathogenetically sound method for the treatment of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Laparoscopic antireflux surgery for the elderly: a surgical and quality-of-life study.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS) has long been introduced as an alternative method for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in young adults. However, the safety of this procedure and the associated improvement in the quality of life for the elderly are rarely discussed. This study compared the results between young and elderly patients who underwent laparoscopic fundoplication for the treatment of GERD. METHODS: From January 1999 to January 2006, there were 231 adult patients who underwent LARS for GERD at a single institute. Among all patients, 33 patients were older than 70 years old (14.3%, 73.0 +/- 1.9, range 70-76), 198 patients were younger than 70 years old (85.7%, 46.6 +/- 11.5, range 20-69). The clinical characteristics, operation time, postoperative hospital stay, surgical complications, and quality of life were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The mean operation time had no significant difference between the younger group and the elderly group. The mean postoperative hospital stay in the elderly group was slightly longer than the younger group (4.1 +/- 2.5 days vs 3.4 +/- 1.3 days, P = 0.19). There were no mortalities and no major complications found in each group. No patients required conversion to an open procedure. Four patients had minor complications (three in the elderly group, rate: 9.0%; one in the younger group, rate: 0.5%, P < 0.05). There were two patients in the nonelderly group who had recurrence. A comparison of the preoperative and postoperative Gastro-Intestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) scores showed significant improvements (99.3 +/- 19.2 points, and 110.2 +/- 20.6 points, respectively, P < 0.05) with no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic antireflux surgery thus appears to provide an equivalent degree of safety and symptomatic relief for elderly patients with GERD as that observed in young patients.

Healthcare seeking in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a common problem in the community, and many patients do not seek medical attention despite potential morbidity and the availability of effective therapeutic interventions. The factors which determine healthcare seeking in GORD are not well understood. AIM: To examine the symptom experience and health and illness beliefs in people with GORD, who had either been diagnosed with the condition, or were dealing with the symptoms themselves. METHODS: A total of 12 focus groups and 65 face-to-face interviews were conducted in the USA, UK, France and Germany, and involved 164 participants, who had either been diagnosed with GORD or were identified as having GORD in the community, using a random digit dialling telephone method. Transcripts of focus groups and interviews were analysed thematically, using a constant comparative approach, to identify key factors associated with healthcare seeking. RESULTS: Patients' descriptions of GORD symptoms were often vivid, with the use of unexpected imagery and unusual beliefs about causality. We were able to identify four factors associated with healthcare seeking for GORD which were: the characteristics of symptoms (intensity and control), the perceived seriousness of symptoms, interference by symptoms with daily life and views about medicines and the medical profession. CONCLUSION: Patients with GORD, using both self care and formal medical care, have a surprising range of ideas about the causes and best treatments of their symptoms. Physicians' awareness of these beliefs, coupled with an understanding of the factors associated with healthcare seeking for GORD, is likely to be important in enhancing clinical management and in patient and public education.

Sustained improvement in symptoms of GERD and antisecretory drug use: 4-year follow-up of the Stretta procedure.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 20% of patients with GERD do not respond to medical therapy. The Stretta radiofrequency antireflux procedure represents an alternative to failed drug therapy for GERD. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess symptom and medication changes after the Stretta procedure during a 4-year follow-up period. DESIGN: Prospective case series on intent-to-treat basis. SETTING: Community practice. PATIENTS: Patients with GERD with persistent symptoms despite twice-daily proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medications. INTERVENTIONS: The Stretta procedure was performed in drug-refractory patients with GERD diagnosed by the presence of endoscopically evidenced esophagitis or abnormal esophageal pH testing. Symptom assessment was performed with a validated health-related quality-of-life questionnaire (with and without medication) at baseline and 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 months after treatment. Complications of the procedure and medication usage were analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Significant changes in symptom scores, GERD quality-of-life parameters, and medication usage on the basis of clinical outcomes. RESULTS: We report on a series of 109 consecutive patients treated with the Stretta procedure who have reached 4-year follow-up. Complete long-term follow-up assessment was available in matched data for 109 patients at 12 months, 108 patients at 24 months, 102 patients at 36 months, and 96 patients at 48 months. A second procedure was performed in 13 patients. Heartburn scores decreased from 3.6 to 1.18 (P < .001), total heartburn score (GERD health-related quality-of-life questionnaire) decreased from 27.8 to 7.1 (P < .001), and patient satisfaction improved from 1.4 to 3.8 (P < .001) (see ). Medication usage decreased significantly from 100% of patients on twice-daily PPI therapy at baseline to 75% of patients showing elimination of medications or only as-needed use of antacids/over-the-counter PPIs at 48 months (P < 0.005). There were no serious complications of the procedure. LIMITATIONS: This is an uncontrolled, nonrandomized case series in consecutive patients that does not include long-term pH or motility studies. CONCLUSIONS: This study in drug-refractory patients with GERD found the Stretta procedure to be a safe, effective, and durable treatment that produced significant improvements in heartburn and quality of life and decreased medication usage during a 4-year period of follow-up.

[GERD and sleep disorder].

The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is increasing in Japan. Symptoms of GERD negatively affect their quality of life and sleep. There are several reasons for sleep disorder with GERD as follows. Nocturnal GERD symptoms sometimes directly avoid sleeping. Sleep apnea syndrome and GERD are sometimes concomitant. The both are sharing similar risk factor such as obesity and cause sleep disorder. When untypical symptoms of GERD are not diagnosed, patients are severely anxious about their physical condition. Then they feel stressful and sometimes get secondary depressive state including sleep disorder. We had better take care about patients' psychosocial factors and treat symptoms of GERD and sleep disorder together with holistic approach.

Quality of life before and after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disorder in the Western world. The acute disease can usually be managed by medical therapy. To prevent relapse, many patients require lifelong medication. In these patients, laparoscopic antireflux surgery offers a good alternative. The aim of this study was to evaluate the postoperative results and compare pre- and postoperative quality of life after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. METHODS: Clinical investigations, including esophageal manometry, pH monitoring, and endoscopy, and a previously validated Quality of Life Index, were performed before and a median of 41 month after antireflux surgery in 75 patients. RESULTS: After laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, the percentage of total time with pH <4 decreased from 10.4% to 3.2% on 24-h pH monitoring. The mean pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter improved from 8.1 to 12.3 mmHg. Esophagitis healed in 63 of 66 patients in whom it was present prior to surgery. The overall Quality of Life Index improved significantly from 86 +/- 16 to 116 +/- 16. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic fundoplication provides effective and durable relief of reflux in patients with GERD. The Quality of Life Index showed significant improvement after surgery.

Esophagogastric dissociation versus fundoplication: Which is best for severely neurologically impaired children?

PURPOSE: Neurologically impaired children (NIC) often have swallowing difficulties, severe gastroesophageal reflux, recurrent respiratory infections, and malnutrition. Bianchi proposed esophagogastric dissociation (EGD) as an alternative to fundoplication and gastrostomy. The authors compared these 2 approaches. METHODS: Twenty-nine consecutive symptomatic NIC refractory to medical therapy were enrolled in a prospective study and divided into 2 groups: A (n = 12), NIC who underwent fundoplication and gastrostomy; B (n = 14), NIC who underwent EGD. Three were excluded because of previous fundoplication. Anthropometric (percentage of the 50th percentile/age of healthy children) and biochemical parameters, respiratory infections per year, hospitalization (days per year), feeding time (minutes), and "quality of life" (parental psychological questionnaire, range 0 to 60), were analyzed (t test and Mann-Whitney test) preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively. Complications were recorded. RESULTS: Compared with group A, group B presented a statistically significant increase of all anthropometric and nearly all biochemical parameters with a statistical difference in terms of respiratory infections, hospital stay, feeding time, and psychological questionnaire. In group A, 2 bowel obstructions, 1 tight fundoplication, 1 dumping syndrome, and 3 failures of fundoplication occurred. Group B presented 1 anastomotic stricture, 1 paraesophageal hernia, and 1 bowel obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with fundoplication and gastrostomy, EGD offered better nutritional rehabilitation, reduction in respiratory infections, and improved quality of life. EGD can be rightfully chosen as a primary procedure.