GASTRO-OESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE

By Dr A S Maiyaki (FWACP)Gastroenterology Unit

Department of MedicineUsmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching

Hospital, Sokoto

INTRODUCTION• Dyspepsia is defined as upper abdominal or

retrosternal pain,discomfort,heartburn,nausea vomiting or symptoms considered to be referable to the proximal alimentary tract.

• It is a symptom complex rather than a specific disease

• It is a common complaint among patients in both general and gastroenterology practice in Nigeria.

• Functional dyspepsia needs to be clearly differentiated from dyspepsia with an organic cause.

Definition

• Is a clinical manifestation of excessive reflux of acid gastric contents into the oesophagus causing various degrees of symptomatic irritation to the oesophageal mucosa with symptoms lasting >6monthsGORD runs a chronic and relapsing courseTypical symptoms of GORD include heartburn, regurgitation and dysphagia.

Epidemiology

• Is a very common disorder of the upper GIT with an incidence rate of 10-38% of adults in the Western population

• Based on hospitalization and death rates the prevalence of GORD has increased while that of PUD has been on the decrease.

• GORD affects about 25-35% of the US population

• Limited no of hospital based studies have reported on GORD and its complication in African countries.

• Ahmed et al reported 45% of patients with Erosive oesophagitis, Barrett’s 10.6% in a study of 105 Sudanese patients with heartburn.

• In South Africa out of 216 consecutive Barrett’s only 5% were blacks despite the ratio of blacks to whites in the city being 5:1.(Mason et al)

• OAUTHC prevalence of GORD 11 %(Oginni et al 2005)

• Prevalence of GORD among clinical year Medical students in their clinical year was 26.3% College of Medicine UNN Enugu Campus( Nwokediuko 2009)

RISK FACTORS

• 1 Obesity• 2 Smoking• 3 Diet (fatty/spicy foods, peppermint,

chocolate, citrus fruits, tomato based products, coffee)• 4 Hiatus hernia

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY• -Results from an imbalance between defensive

factors protecting the oesophagus (anti-reflux barriers, oesophageal acid clearance and tissue resistance) and aggressive factors from the stomach contents (gastric acidity and vol. and duodenal contents).

• -Anti-reflux barriers consist of Lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) and crura of the diaphragm.

• Clearance of the oesophagus depends on the oesophageal peristalsis, saliva pH and gravity.

• Factors contributing to the pathogenesis of GORD include• Defective LOS• Hiatus hernia• Impaired oesophageal peristalsis• Delayed gastric emptying, gastric

acid production as well as bile reflux.• Influence of H. pylori.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION• Heartburn• Regurgitation• Dysphagia• Asthma• Chronic cough• Dental erosion• Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome• Pulmonary fibrosis• COPD• Pneumonia• Pulmonary collapse• Intractable nausea• Non cardiac chest pain

DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION• Rest primarily on recognition of symptoms• Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy,capsule

endoscopy(endoscopy negative,NERD and endoscopy positive)

• Erosive oesophagitis (papillae extending into upper third of the oesophageal mucosa with or without the infiltration of inflammatory cells

• The Los Angeles classification of Erosive Oesophagitis• Grade A: One or more mucosa break each <5mm in

length• Grade B: There is at least one mucosal break >5mm

long but not continuous between the tops of adjacent mucosal folds

• Grade C: At least one mucosal break that is continuous between the tops of adjacent mucosal fold but which is not circumferential.

• Grade D: Mucosal breaks that involve at least75% of the oesophageal circumference

• Savary-Miller grading of erosive oesophagitis.

COMPLICATIONS

• Stricture• Barrett’s oesophagus (columnar –

lined epithelium with incomplete intestinal metaplasia with goblet cells in the oesophagus regardless of the length of the change.• Oesophageal adenocarcinoma

EROSIVE OESOPHAGITIS

Barrett’s Oesophagus

Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma

• Oesophageal manometry• 24-hour pH monitoring• Multi-channel intra-luminal

impedance

MEDICAL AND SURGICAL TREATMENT• Well taken history is still paramount• Life style modification• Patient education• Elevation of the bed• Decrease fat intake• Cessation of smoking• Cessation of alcohol• Avoid recumbency 3hours postprandially

MEDICAL TREATMENT• Antacids remain the drugs of choice for quick

relief• Histamine-2-receptor antagonist(effective in

controlling nocturnal acid secretion• Prokinetic agents (Domperidone)• 5HT3 agonist eg Tegaserod(has promotility and

antinorciceptive effects)• Proton pump inhibitors (inhibit day time

nocturnal and meal related stimulated acid secretion)

SURGICAL MANAGEMENT

• Patients who fail medical therapy or develop complications of GORD)

• Barrett’s (antireflux treatment and mucosal ablation)

• Laparascopic Nissen fundoplication• Toupet partial fundoplication• Belsey Mark iv repair• Hill posterior gastropexy repair

SUGGESTIONS Un-investigated dyspepsia that may have an

organic cause needs to be clearly differentiated from functional dyspepsia as management strategies differ.

More upper gastro-intestinal endoscopy facilities should be provided in our hospitals to aid in defining the various causes of dyspepsia.

Population based studies on GORD as it is a mimicker of many diseases

• THANKS FOR LISTENING

• NAGODE