Symptom association analysis is important in GERD patients undergoing endoscopic therapy

摘要

To the Editor: We read the article by Koch et al on the safety and efficacy of endoluminal full-thickness gastroplication (the Plicator) in patients with GERD. The authors evaluated 36 patients who were refractory to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), using impedance pH off-therapy before and after gastroplication (n = 20). GERD was diagnosed in case of (1) total number of reflux events >73, (2) composite pH DeMeester score >14.7, or (3) positive symptom index (SI) for symptoms reported at least 3 times. The Plicator significantly improved quality of life and reflux symptoms and markedly reduced esophageal acid exposure time, proximal migration of refluxate, and both acidic reflux and weakly acidic reflux (WAR) events.