The predictive value of symptoms in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
BACKGROUND
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) must be distinguished from functional dyspepsia and peptic ulcer disease because, albeit similar symptomatology, they are different diseases with greatly differing pathogenesis and treatment.


METHODS
A new endoscopic grading of reflux oesophagitis was applied in two large prospective studies.


RESULTS
High consistency of endoscopic findings and low predictive value of symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
The low predictive value of symptoms stresses the importance of applying solid endoscopic criteria in the assessment of GORD.
Berstad
A
A
Dept. of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
Hatlebakk
J G
JG
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000175:diagnosis; D004942:Esophagitis, Peptic / Q000175:diagnosis; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D005745:Gastric Acidity Determination; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006356:Heartburn / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies