title: Refractory gastrooesophageal reflux disease.
abstract: The introduction of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) has facilitated the treatment of gastrooesophageal reflux disease (GORD) enormously; however, treatment of GORD still fails in a small proportion of patients. This small proportion of therapy-resistant patients encompasses a substantial part of the working load of physicians and has become a common clinical problem. A strong variability in acid-suppressive effect of PPI treatment exists depending on compliance, Helicobacter pylori status and genotype. Nocturnal acid breakthrough does not seem to be a major determinant of refractory GORD. Recent data, however, show that PPI-refractory GORD can result from nonacid reflux episodes. It is wise to reconsider the diagnosis of GORD in patients who are PPI-refractory. Most patients in whom a PPI is not effective do not have GORD, instead they suffer from other disorders such as functional dyspepsia. If after a thorough history is taken the suspicion of GORD is still high, the next step would be to perform upper endoscopy and reflux monitoring. In case patients truly have PPI-refractory GORD, therapy can be aimed at oesophageal hypersensitivity or a surgical solution can be sought.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Sint Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands. a.bredenoord@antonius.net
authors.forename: Albert J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Bredenoord
authors.forename: André J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Smout
mesh_terms: D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000175:diagnosis; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010349:Patient Compliance; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors