title: Radiofrequency treatment on respiratory symptoms due to gastroesophageal reflux disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diagnosis and treatment for respiratory symptoms (RSs) of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is more difficult than that for common esophageal symptoms. The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency (RF) treatment on RSs of GERD in a preliminary 12-month follow-up observation.
  
  
  METHODS
  From April 2006 to October 2008, 505 GERD patients with mainly respiratory presentations such as wheezing, chronic cough or hoarseness, were treated by endoscopic RF. A questionnaire was completed before and after treatment, using a six-point scale ranging from 0 to 5 to assess symptom severity and frequency. The symptom score was the sum of frequency and severity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Symptom scores were significantly improved at the end of the follow-up period. The mean heartburn score decreased from 5.31 to 1.79. The mean regurgitation score decreased from 5.02 to 1.64; mean cough score decreased from 6.77 to 2.85; mean wheezing score decreased from 7.83 to 3.07; and mean hoarseness score decreased from 5.13 to 1.81 (P < 0.01). No major complications or deaths occurred. Minor complications included temporary post-procedural retrosternal unease or pain (n = 106; 21.0%), mild fever (n = 86; 17.0%), transient nausea/vomiting (n = 97; 19.2%), and transient dysphagia (n = 42; 9.3%). Thirty-five (6.9%) patients had recurrence of symptoms. Endoscopic RF treatment was repeated in six patients, and laparoscopic fundoplication was performed in seven.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endoscopic RF is an effective and safe means to treat RSs in patients with GERD.
authors.affiliation: Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, Xuan Wu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China.
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Zhong-Gao
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ji-Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Cheng-Chao
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Ya-Chan
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Ning
authors.forename: Zhi-Tong
authors.initials: ZT
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zhi-Wei
authors.initials: ZW
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Xiu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Shu-Rui
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Tian
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003371:Cough / Q000601:surgery; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006356:Heartburn / Q000601:surgery; D006685:Hoarseness / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011846:Radio Waves; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult