| Theme |
GERD in Clinical Practice 2018 -- Current Status and Issues |
| Title |
Diagnosis of GERD -- Evaluation of Symptoms |
| Author |
Hiroko Hosaka |
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Gunma University Hospital |
| Author |
Shiko Kuribayashi |
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Gunma University Hospital |
| Author |
Yasuyuki Shimoyama |
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Gunma University Hospital |
| Author |
Osamu Kawamura |
Department of Endoscopy and Endoscopic Surgery, Gunma University Hospital |
| Author |
Motoyasu Kusano |
Department of Endoscopy and Endoscopic Surgery, Gunma University Hospital |
| [ Summary ] |
Gastro‒esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which gastroesophageal reflux causes either esophageal mucosal breaks, or troublesome symptoms, or both. It is classified into "erosive GERD" with esophageal mucosal breaks and "non‒erosive GERD or NERD (non‒erosive reflux disease) "wherein patients show symptoms in the absence of esophageal mucosal breaks. Because the diagnosis of this condition is based on assessment of clinical symptoms, the medical interview is essentially the most important component of patient evaluation in clinical practice. In addition to obtaining information regarding the typical/characteristic symptoms of GERD, it is important to inquire regarding extraesophageal symptoms. An overlap between GERD and functional dyspepsia (FD) is known to occur, and these 2 entities are often indistinguishable. Self‒reported questionnaires, such as FSSG (frequency Scale for the Symptoms of GERD, QUEST (questionnaire for the diagnosis of reflux disease) and GERD‒Q, are helpful diagnostic tools in the management of GERD. The modified FSSG could differentiate between GERD and FD by scoring the frequency of both, reflux and dyspeptic symptoms. A response to proton‒pump inhibitors (PPIs) is also commonly considered a supportive aid to diagnose GERD. |