Studies from Pusan National University, Medical Department yield new data on acid reflux disease

   "The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between GEFV, atrophic gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux. A total of 608 patients (252 men and 356 women; mean age 51.1 years) who underwent endoscopy, esophageal manometry and ambulatory 24-h pH monitoring were included. GEFV was graded I through IV using Hill's classification: the GEFV was largely classified into two groups: the normal GEFV group (grades I and II) and the abnormal GEFV group (grades III and IV). Atrophic gastritis was classified into two groups by endoscopic atrophic border: closed-type (C-type) and open-type (O-type). Findings of endoscopy, esophageal manometry and ambulatory pH monitoring were compared among the groups. The incidence of reflux esophagitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease was associated with an abnormal GEFV grade and was inversely associated with open-type atrophic gastritis. The patients with a coexisting abnormal GEFV and closed-type atrophic gastritis showed a significantly higher incidence of reflux esophagitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease than the patients with a coexisting normal GEFV and open-type atrophic gastritis (OR, 20.6 [95% CI, 6.2-68.4], 11.4 [95% CI, 6.3-20.7], respectively)," wrote G.H. Kim and colleagues, Pusan National University, Medical Department.

   The researchers concluded: "Endoscopic grading of GEFV and atrophic gastritis is simple and provides useful information on the status of gastroesophageal reflux."

   Kim and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (Endoscopic grading of gastroesophageal flap valve and atrophic gastritis is helpful to predict gastroesophageal reflux. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 2008;23(2):208-214).

   Additional information can be obtained by contacting G.A. Song, Pusan National University, College Medical, Dept. of Internal Medical, 1-10 Ami Dong, Pusan 602739, South Korea.

   The publisher of the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology can be contacted at: Blackwell Publishing, 9600 Garsington Rd., Oxford OX4 2ZG, Oxon, England.

   Keywords: South Korea, Acid Reflux Disease, Acid Reflux, Atrophic Gastritis, Endoscopy, Esophagitis, Gastritis, Gastroenterology, Gastroesophageal Reflux, Hepatology, Surgery, Pusan National University, Medical Department.

   This article was prepared by Gastroenterology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Gastroenterology Week via NewsRx.com.

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