title: The impact of gastric bypass on gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients with morbid obesity: a prospective study based on the Montreal Consensus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the impact of gastric bypass (GBP) on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) based on Montreal Consensus.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, 86 patients (25 men; aging 38 +/- 12 years; body mass index 45 [35-68 kg/m2]) were investigated for GERD before GBP and 6 months later. Esophageal and extraesophageal syndromes were assessed based on Montreal Consensus. Esophageal acid exposure and gastric pouch acidity were also evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall prevalence of GERD was 64% before GBP and 33% after GBP (P < 0.0001). Typical reflux syndrome (TRS) was present in 47 patients (55%) preoperatively and disappeared in 39 of them (79%) post-GBP. Out of 39 patients with no symptoms, 4 (10%) developed TRS postoperatively (P < 0.0001). The chief TRS complaint changed from heartburn pre-GBP (96%) to regurgitation post-GBP (64%). Esophageal mucosa improved in 27, was unchanged in 51, and worsened in 8 patients (P = 0.001) in regard of esophagitis. Extraesophageal syndromes were present in 16 patients preoperatively and in none but one post-GBP (P = 0.0003). GERD-related well being and use of proton pump inhibitors were both improved after GBP. Total acid exposure decreased from a median (interquartile range, 25%-75%) of 5.1% (range, 2-8.2) to 1.1% (range, 0.2-4.8), P = 0.0002. Most patients (86%) showed and acid gastric pouch in fasting conditions post-GBP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GBP ameliorated GERD syndromes in most patients 6 months after the procedure, resulting in quality of life improvement and less proton pump inhibitors usage. Whether regurgitation post-GBP corresponds to reflux disease or bad eating behavior deserves further studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Gastrobese, Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carlos A S
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Madalosso
authors.forename: Richard R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Gurski
authors.forename: Sidia M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Callegari-Jacques
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Navarini
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Thiesen
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fornari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015390:Gastric Bypass; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D003245:Consensus Statements as Topic