Role of endoscopy in the management of GERD.

摘要

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition that develops when reflux of stomach contents causes troublesome symptoms (eg, heartburn and regurgitation) or complications (eg, erosive esophagitis). In a recent systematic review, the prevalence of GERD in the Western world was estimated to be 10% to 20%, with GERD defined as at least weekly heartburn and/or acid regurgitation.3'4 GERD is the third most common GI disorder in the United States, affecting 19 million adults and accounting for 4,590,000 outpatient visits and 96,000 hospitaliza-tions annually. The annual economic impact of GERD was estimated to be dollar9.3 billion in 2000. Greater than 60% of this burden is related to the cost of antisecretory medications. In addition to quality of life issues, the numerous complications of chronic GERD, such as esoph-ageal stricture formation, Barrett's metaplasia, and esoph-ageal adenocarcinoma, necessitate adequate diagnosis and treatment of this common entity