title: [Gastroesophageal reflux disease and Helicobacter pylori infection].
abstract: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the common diseases of the upper gastrointestinal system. It is present in the whole world population, especially frequent in the developed countries. It evolves from pathological reflux which exposes the esophagus to the gastric contents which must overcome esophageal defense system. Many factors have been found to be involved in the pathogenesis of GERD; the most important one is the relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. Intensity of the disease is proportional to the amount of gastric contents refluxing from the stomach and the duration of esophageal exposure to this contents. GERD is currently in the spotlight because of its special significance in the development of very specific disease in the lower part of the esophagus--Barrett's esophagus, as well as esophageal adenocarcinoma which has lately been increasing in prevalence. Today, unrecognized and inadequately cured GERD is known to be a high risk factor for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. In recent years the relation between GERD and Helicobacter pylori infection has been the topic of investigation by many prominent researchers. Therapy of GERD is based on inhibition of acid secretion. There are many different therapeutic agents available, however, proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are considered to be the most effective in the treatment of this disease.
authors.affiliation: Klinicka bolnica Merkur Medicinskog fakulteta Sveucilista u Zagrebu.
authors.forename: Slavica
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Naumovski-Mihalić
authors.forename: Branka
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sabarić
authors.forename: Tajana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Filipec
authors.forename: Mirjana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tićak
authors.forename: Marija
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prskalo
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Skurla
authors.forename: Branko
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Papa
authors.forename: Mara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dominis
authors.forename: Miroslava
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Katicić
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000209:etiology; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000209:etiology; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged