Randomised clinical trial: addition of alginate-antacid (Gaviscon Double Action) to proton pump inhibitor therapy in patients with breakthrough symptoms

A Meta-analysis of PPIs Plus Alginate Versus PPIs Alone for the Treatment of GERD

OBJECTIVE

To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) combined with alginate versus PPIs alone in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

METHODS

Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) of PPIs combined with alginate and PPIs alone for the treatment of GERD in PubMed, Embase, and The Cochrane Library were searched and screened, and the risk assessment of bias and statistical analysis were performed using Rev Man 5.4 software.

RESULTS

A total of four RCTs (608 patients) were included. Before and after treatment, the change of heartburn score in the experimental group increased compared with the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant [Standard Mean Difference (SMD)= -0.29, 95%CI (-0.78, 0.19), P > 0.05]; The change of HRDQ heartburn score increased, but the difference was not statistically significant [SMD= -0.40, 95%CI (-1.04, 0.24), P > 0.05]; The number of days without heartburn during the 28-day treatment period increased, but the difference was not statistically significant [OR= 1.16, 95%CI (0.37, 3.61), P > 0.05]; The amount of reflux score increased, but the difference was not statistically significant [SMD= -0.30, 95%CI (-0.71, 0.11), P > 0.05]; The amount of change in HRDQ regurgitation score increased, but the difference was not statistically significant [SMD= -0.05，95%CI （- 1.57，0.17）， P > 0.05]； There was no statistically significant difference in adverse events with treatment [OR= 0.93, 95%CI (0.58, 1.47), P > 0.05].

CONCLUSION

In the treatment of GERD, the efficacy of PPIs combined with alginate is improved compared with PPIs alone, but there is no significant difference, and alginate does not increase the occurrence of adverse events in PPIs treatment. In the future, more subdivisions of GERD subtypes and more high-quality studies are needed to further improve the treatment strategy of GERD-related diseases.

Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Diagnosis and Management

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common, with increasing worldwide disease prevalence and high economic burden. A significant number of patients will remain symptomatic following an empiric proton pump inhibitor (PPI) trial. Persistent symptoms despite PPI therapy are often mislabeled as refractory GERD. For patients with no prior GERD evidence (unproven GERD), testing is performed off antisecretory therapy to identify objective evidence of pathologic reflux using criteria outlined by the Lyon consensus. In proven GERD, differentiation between refractory symptoms (persisting symptoms despite optimized antisecretory therapy) and refractory GERD (abnormal reflux metrics on ambulatory pH impedance monitoring and/or persistent erosive esophagitis on endoscopy while on optimized PPI therapy) can direct subsequent management. While refractory symptoms may arise from esophageal hypersensitivity or functional heartburn, proven refractory GERD requires personalization of the management approach, tapping from an array of non-pharmacologic, pharmacologic, endoscopic, and surgical interventions. Proper diagnosis and management of refractory GERD is critical to mitigate undesirable long-term complications such as strictures, Barrett's esophagus, and esophageal adenocarcinoma. This review outlines the diagnostic workup of patients presenting with refractory GERD symptoms, describes the distinction between unproven and proven GERD, and provides a comprehensive review of the current treatment strategies available for the management of refractory GERD.

Heteropolysaccharides in sustainable corrosion inhibition: 4E (Energy, Economy, Ecology, and Effectivity) dimensions

Carbohydrate polymers (polysaccharides) and their derivatives are widely utilized in sustainable corrosion inhibition (SCI) because of their various fascinating properties including multiple adsorption sites, high solubility and high efficiency. Contrary to traditional synthetic polymer-based corrosion inhibitors, polysaccharides are related to the 4E dimension, which stands for Energy, Economy, Ecology, and Effectivity. Furthermore, they are relatively more environmentally benign, biodegradable, and non-bioaccumulative. The current review describes the SCI features of various heteropolysaccharides, including gum Arabic (GA), glycosaminoglycans (chondroitin-4-sulfate (CS), hyaluronic acid (HA), heparin, etc.), pectin, alginates, and agar for the first time. They demonstrate impressive anticorrosive activity for different metals and alloys in a variety of corrosive electrolytes. Through their adsorption at the metal/electrolyte interface, heteropolysaccharides function by producing a corrosion-protective film. In general, their adsorption follows the Langmuir isotherm model. In their molecular structures, heteropolysaccharides contain several polar functional groups like -OH, -NH₂, -COCH₃, -CH₂OH, cyclic and bridging O, -CH₂SO₃H, -SO₃OH, -COOH, -NHCOCH₃, -OHOR, etc. that serve as adsorption centers when they bind to metallic surfaces.

Thailand guideline 2020 for medical management of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most prevalent and bothersome functional gastrointestinal disorders worldwide, including in Thailand. After a decade of the first Thailand GERD guideline, physician and gastroenterologist encountered substantially increase of patients with GERD. Many of them are complicated case and refractory to standard treatment. Concurrently, the evolution of clinical characteristics as well as the progression of investigations and treatment have developed and changed tremendously. As a member of Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which are developing countries, we considered that the counterbalance between advancement and sufficient economy is essential in taking care of patients with GERD. We gather physicians from university hospitals, as well as internist and general practitioners who served in rural area, to make a consensus in this updated version of GERD guideline focusing in medical management of GERD. This clinical practice guideline was constructed adhering with standard procedure. We categorized the guideline in to four parts including definition, investigation, treatment, and long-term follow up. We anticipate that this guideline would improve physicians' proficiency and help direct readers to choose investigations and treatments in patients with GERD wisely. Moreover, we wish that this guideline would be applicable in countries with limited resources as well.

The views of African and Middle Eastern Gastroenterologists on the management of mild-to-moderate, non-erosive gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD)

INTRODUCTION

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common gastrointestinal disorder that occurs when backflow of the gastric contents into the esophagus results in troublesome symptoms. Though GERD has been extensively studied in Western populations, literature on the management of GERD in patients in Africa and Middle East (AME) is scarce.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, we provide an overview of the management of mild-to-moderate GERD in AME. Here we focus on the efficacy and safety of currently available treatments for GERD to help physicians and community pharmacists appropriately manage patients with mild-to-moderate GERD in the primary healthcare setting, detailing specific situations and patient scenarios that are relevant to the region, including management of GERD during Ramadan and post-bariatric surgery.

EXPERT OPINION

Under-appreciation of the burden of GERD in the region has resulted in a lack of consensus on management. Barriers that currently prevent the adoption of treatment guidelines in the primary healthcare setting may include lack of availability of local guidelines and referral systems, a paucity of region-specific research, and dogmatic adherence to traditional practice. By increasing awareness, strengthening knowledge, and by more effective utilization of resources, physicians and pharmacists could optimize GERD management strategies to better support patients.

2020 Seoul Consensus on the Diagnosis and Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which gastric contents regurgitate into the esophagus or beyond, resulting in either troublesome symptoms or complications. GERD is heterogeneous in terms of varied manifestations, test findings, and treatment responsiveness. GERD diagnosis can be established with symptomatology, pathology, or physiology. Recently the Lyon consensus defined the “proven GERD” with concrete evidence for reflux, including advanced grade erosive esophagitis (Los Angeles classification grades C and or D esophagitis), long-segment Barrett’s mucosa or peptic strictures on endoscopy or distal esophageal acid exposure time > 6% on 24-hour ambulatory pH-impedance monitoring. However, some Asian researchers have different opinions on whether the same standards should be applied to the Asian population. The prevalence of GERD is increasing in Asia. The present evidence-based guidelines were developed using a systematic review and meta-analysis approach. In GERD with typical symptoms, a proton pump inhibitor test can be recommended as a sensitive, cost-effective, and practical test for GERD diagnosis.

Based on a meta-analysis of 19 estimated acid-exposure time values in Asians, the reference range upper limit for esophageal acid exposure time was 3.2% (95% confidence interval, 2.7-3.9%) in the Asian countries. Esophageal manometry and novel impedance measurements, including mucosal impedance and a post-reflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave, are promising in discrimination of GERD among different reflux phenotypes, thus increasing its diagnostic yield. We also propose a long-term strategy of evidence-based GERD treatment with proton pump inhibitors and other drugs.

Analysis of current approaches to the treatment and quality of life improvement in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease in case of its combination with the syndrome of undifferentiated connective tissue dysplasia

When the structure of the connective tissue is disturbed, the probability of developing pathology of the internal organs increases. The gastrointestinal tract is one of the systems that is most often involved in the pathological process in the case of such disorders. Due to its mesenchymal origin, the esophagus is one of the first to suffer. Normalization of mineral metabolism, correction of immunological and bioenergetic status are the main tasks in the treatment of such patients. Therapy with magnesium drugs, vitamins, anabolic drugs, ?-blockers, aldosterone antagonists, and amino acid drugs should also be used for this purpose. Patients in this group should also take drugs that contain vitamin D3

ESNM/ANMS consensus paper: Diagnosis and management of refractory gastro-esophageal reflux disease

Up to 40% of patients with symptoms suspicious of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) do not respond completely to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. The term "refractory GERD" has been used loosely in the literature. A distinction should be made between refractory symptoms (ie, symptoms may or may not be GERD-related), refractory GERD symptoms (ie, persisting symptoms in patients with proven GERD, regardless of relationship to ongoing reflux), and refractory GERD (ie, objective evidence of GERD despite adequate medical management). The present ESNM/ANMS consensus paper proposes use the term "refractory GERD symptoms" only in patients with persisting symptoms and previously proven GERD by either endoscopy or esophageal pH monitoring. Even in this context, symptoms may or may not be reflux related. Objective evaluation, including endoscopy and esophageal physiologic testing, is requisite to provide insights into mechanisms of symptom generation and evidence of true refractory GERD. Some patients may have true ongoing refractory acid or weakly acidic reflux despite PPIs, while others have no evidence of ongoing reflux, and yet others have functional esophageal disorders (overlapping with proven GERD confirmed off therapy). In this context, attention should also be paid to supragastric belching and rumination syndrome, which may be important contributors to refractory symptoms.

The pharmacotherapeutic management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

INTRODUCTION

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a very common worldwide condition, affecting about 15-20% of the whole population, and representing a major burden for health-care systems. Because of its frequency, health physicians - family doctors as well as specialists - should be aware of the different pharmacotherapeutic approaches in managing GERD, according to disease severity.

AREAS COVERED

Authors summarize the pharmacological management of GERD in adults, present the different pharmaceutical classes, and review the evidence on efficacy for each treatment according to the most common clinical scenarios: non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (NERD), erosive esophagitis (EE), and proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) refractory GERD. They also provide an overview of treatments under development.

EXPERT OPINION

To date, PPIs remain the most effective treatment option for both NERD and EE. However, Potassium-Competitive Acid blockers (PCAB) may be considered, with at least similar efficacy in Asian populations. Preliminary data suggest that PCABs could be superior to classic PPIs in patients with severe EE, and may also be of particular interest in the management of PPI-refractory GERD patients. Their definitive role in GERD management, however, still remains to be determined based on properly designed and conducted randomized clinical trials.

Gastrointestinal pharmacology: practical tips for the esophagologist

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is primarily a motor disorder, and its pathogenesis is multifactorial. As a consequence, treatment should be able to address the underlying pathophysiology. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the mainstay of medical therapy for GERD, but these drugs only provide the control of symptoms and lesions without curing the disease. However, continuous acid suppression with PPIs is recommended for patients with Barrett's esophagus because of their potential chemopreventive effects. In addition to the antisecretory activity, these compounds display several pharmacological properties, often overlooked in clinical practice. PPIs can indeed affect gastric motility, exert a mucosal protective effect, and an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antineoplastic activity, also protecting cancer cells from developing chemo- or radiotherapeutic resistance. Even in the third millennium, current pharmacologic approaches to address GERD are limited. Reflux inhibitors represent a promise unfulfilled, effective and safe prokinetics are lacking, and antidepressants, despite being effective in selected patients, give rise to adverse events in a large proportion of them. While waiting for new drug classes (like potassium-competitive acid blockers), reassessing old drugs (namely alginate-containing formulations), and paving the new avenue of esophageal mucosal protection are, at the present time, the only reliable alternatives to acid suppression.

Symptomatic response to GERDOFF® in patients with gastro-esophageal reflux disease and poor response to alginates: an exploratory, post-market, open-label study

BACKGROUND/AIMS

A novel medical device based on hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulphate plus aluminum hydroxide (GERDOFF®, melt-in-mouth tablets) showed efficacy in reducing GER-related symptoms. This exploratory, open-label study evaluated symptomatic effects of a 14-day treatment with GERDOFF® in GERD patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

GERD Impact Scale (GIS) questionnaire was filled at baseline visit, after 7 and 14 days of treatment; patients' Global Satisfaction was evaluated at the final visit. Primary endpoint was the reduction of heartburn episodes per week; secondary endpoints were GERD-related symptoms, patients' satisfaction, and safety.

RESULTS

Forty patients were included, 22 were on stable therapy with proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Compared to baseline, the days with heartburn episodes and the GIS score progressively decreased during the first (p<0.0001) and the second week of treatment (p<0.0001). Heartburn episodes per week (p<0.0001) and the GIS score (p<0.0001) decreased in the first and the last 7 days of 14-day treatment and did not differ between patients on and off PPI. The treatment was safe and well-tolerated, and it was rated as very good (46.2%) or good (43.6%) on the satisfaction questionnaire.

CONCLUSION

GERDOFF® could effectively treat GER symptoms in patients not responding to PPI or alginate-based formulation. ISRCTN_15143752.

Polysaccharide from Gracilaria caudata protects the human esophageal mucosal barrier: A differential topical effect and structural dependence

This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro protective effect of topical treatment with a native sulfated polysaccharide of G. caudata (SP-Gc), hydrolyzed (H-SP-Gc), or desulfated (D-SP-Gc) polysaccharide of Gracilaria caudata in esophageal biopsies obtained from GERD patients. Biopsies were obtained from nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) patients and from erosive esophagitis patients. Then, the biopsies were mounted in an Ussing chamber to measure the basal transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). The effect of mucosal exposure to an acid solution on TEER was analyzed with or without different concentrations (1, 0.3 or 1%) of SP-Gc, H-SP-Gc, or D-SP-Gc, precoated on the mucosa. Basal esophageal mucosal electrical resistance was significantly lower in erosive esophagitis than from NERD. Mucosal samples precoated with native SP-Gc (1%) significantly prevented TEER drop induced by an acidic solution in NERD, but this effect was not observed in erosive esophagitis. Topical application of D-SP-Gc showed no difference compared to native SP-Gc. However, when treated with chemically-modified SP-Gc, the protective effect observed with native SP-Gc was lost. The present study indicated that SP-Gc protects the human esophageal mucosal barrier in NERD patients. This effect is dependent on the structure but is independent of the presence of sulfate.

Acupuncture for refractory gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

INTRODUCTION

Refractory gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (rGORD) is a common disease, affecting patients' quality of life. Since conventional medicines have limitations, like low effective rates and adverse events, acupuncture may be a promising therapy for rGORD. While no related systematic review has been published, the present study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for rGORD.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Chinese electronic databases, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan Fang database, VIP, SinoMed and the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, will be searched from establishment of the database to 31 August 2019. There will be no limitations on language, and all articles will be screened and collected by two reviewers independently. RevMan V.5.3.5 software will be used for meta-analysis, and the conduction of study will refer to the Cochrane Handbook for Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocol guidelines. The efficacy and safety of acupuncture for rGORD will be evaluated based on outcomes, including global symptom improvement, oesophageal sphincter function test measured by high-resolution manometry, quality of life, recurrence rate and adverse events.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

There is no necessity for this study to acquire an ethical approval, and this review will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal or conference presentation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42018111912.

New classifications of gastroesophageal reflux disease: an improvement for patient management?

Introduction: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a very common and often debilitating disease. In the broad spectrum of GERD phenotypes, three main groups may be traditionally distinguished: 1) patients only affected by esophageal and/or extra-esophageal symptoms; 2) patients with erosive esophagitis and 3) patients with further complications. Areas covered: This review provides an overview on the current classifications of GERD patients, and their impact on their management. Expert opinion: In 2017, the GERD Consensus Working Group focused the attention on patients unresponsive to PPIs. In this scenario, a diagnosis of GERD might be confirmed by evident signs of erosive esophagitis and the finding of pH or multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH tests, such as more than 6%. The 'Lyon Consensus' panel of experts confirmed that positive indices of reflux-symptom association, without other altered parameters, represent reflux hypersensitivity. GERD requires a customized management; it is crucial to assess frequency and severity of symptoms and their response to an optimal course of therapy as well as to explore the endoscopic alterations and consider other diagnoses responsible for persistent symptoms.

Randomized clinical trial: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of alginate-antacid (Gaviscon Double Action) chewable tablets in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

BACKGROUND

The alginate-antacid Gaviscon Double Action (Gaviscon DA) has a combined acid-neutralizing and reflux-suppressing action. Response to treatment in a symptomatic gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) population has not yet been tested in a large-scale clinical study.

AIM

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of Gaviscon DA compared with matched placebo tablets in the reduction of upper gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with GERD.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

In this multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, adults with GERD symptoms (N=424) received Gaviscon DA or placebo tablets for 7 days. The primary endpoint was a clinically important reduction of at least 1.5 points in the Reflux Disease Questionnaire (RDQ) GERD dimension (combined heartburn/regurgitation) between baseline and the end of the treatment. Secondary endpoints included the change in RDQ score from baseline for individual RDQ dimensions and Overall Treatment Evaluation.

RESULTS

A significantly greater proportion of patients treated with Gaviscon DA met the primary endpoint compared with placebo (47.8 vs. 33.2%, respectively, P=0.0031; odds ratio: 1.85, 95% confidence interval: 1.23-2.78). A significant treatment effect was also observed for heartburn, regurgitation and dyspepsia individually. Patients in the Gaviscon DA group rated their overall treatment response greater than patients in the placebo group [mean Overall Treatment Evaluation (SD): 3.2 (3.08) vs. 2.2 (3.34); P<0.001]. No notable differences in the incidence of adverse events were observed between treatments.

CONCLUSION

The alginate-antacid combination, Gaviscon DA, is an effective and well-tolerated treatment to reduce reflux symptoms and associated dyspepsia in symptomatic GERD patients.

Two placebo-controlled crossover studies in healthy subjects to evaluate gastric acid neutralization by an alginate-antacid formulation (Gaviscon Double Action)

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the intragastric acid neutralization activity of a combined alginate-antacid formulation.

SIGNIFICANCE

Published studies have investigated the reflux-suppressing alginate component of Gaviscon Double Action (Gaviscon DA; RB, UK) but intragastric acid neutralization activity of the antacid component has not been evaluated in vivo.

METHODS

Intragastric pH monitoring, using a custom-made 10-electrode catheter, was evaluated in a two-part exploratory study in healthy subjects; Part I (n = 6) tested suitability of the catheter using antacid tablets (Rennie; Bayer, Germany); Part II (n = 12) evaluated gastric acid neutralization activity of Gaviscon DA liquid (20 ml) versus placebo in fasted subjects using a randomized, open-label, crossover design. The primary endpoint was the percentage of time that intragastric pH ≥4 was measured during 30 min post-treatment. A confirmatory study of identical design was subsequently conducted (n = 20).

RESULTS

Monitoring pH using the multielectrode catheter was a viable approach, directly detecting changes in intragastric pH following a single dose of antacid tablets. In the exploratory study, the percentage of time that pH ≥4 during 30 minutes post-treatment was 46.8% with Gaviscon DA liquid versus 4.7% with placebo (p = 0.0004). These findings were supported by the confirmatory study, where pH ≥4 was recorded 50.8% of the time with Gaviscon DA versus 3.5% with placebo (p = 0.0051). In this study, Gaviscon DA was safe and well tolerated.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies demonstrate the effective acid neutralizing capacity of Gaviscon DA versus placebo in healthy, fasted subjects. This adds to the evidence base for the combination of alginates and antacids.

Refractory GERD, beyond proton pump inhibitors

Pharmacologic therapy, surgery, minimally invasive therapies, and alternative therapies are different options available for the management of refractory GERD. The choice may depend on the cause of refractoriness. Increased gastric acid suppression therapy might be useful in the rare patients with persistent elevated esophageal acid exposure on proton pump inhibitors (PPI). Potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CAB) might induce a more important acid inhibition than PPI. Baclofen might act as a reflux inhibitor and demonstrates a significant efficacy in rumination syndrome. The role of topical antacid-alginate in refractory GERD might be limited. Surgery might be a valid option in case of persistent pathological acid esophageal exposure despite PPI. Further evaluation of minimally invasive procedures is necessary. Finally diet, diaphragmatic breathing and transcutaneous electrical acustimulation might be of interest in patients with esophageal hypersensivity or functional symptoms.

Medical Therapy of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Beyond Proton Pump Inhibitors: Where Are We Heading?

Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) have greatly improved the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. However, recent investigations have revealed that reflux symptoms persist in a substantial number of patients. Therefore, treatment strategies beyond PPI are urgently required. One such strategy may involve more reliable acid suppression, e.g., with new acid inhibitory drugs. Furthermore, the rapid appearance of an acidic compartment in the proximal stomach after a meal, which is largely responsible for postprandial heartburn, requires a specific kind of therapy in addition to PPI which still needs to be established. Pharmacological augmentation of the lower esophageal sphincter may represent another approach to diminish reflux, but the clinical efficacy of compounds tested so far is limited. Altered e-sophageal perception represents a major component involved in the generation of reflux symptoms, particularly in non-erosive reflux disease, but effective pharmacological intervention is largely lacking. Presumed reflux-induced respiratory symptoms (cough, laryngitis, etc.) in the absence of typical esophageal symptoms (e.g., heartburn) remain a hot topic, but recent research points towards a hypersensitivity syndrome and only a minor role of gastroesophageal reflux. Treatment options for this condition are still pending.

The management of functional dyspepsia in clinical practice: what lessons can be learnt from recent literature?

Functional dyspepsia is a prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorder that can significantly erode the quality of life of sufferers and places a major cost burden on healthcare services. In this article, we review the recent literature, selecting the information we consider relevant since it has changed our clinical management of patients with functional dyspepsia.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease: A clinical overview for primary care physicians

OBJECTIVE

GERD is among the most common outpatient disease processes encountered by clinicians on a daily basis. This review provides insights about how to approach GERD in terms of disease management and treatment.

METHODS

Review articles were searched using PUBMED and MEDLINE using criteria that included English language articles published in the last 5 years concerning studies carried out only in humans. The key words used in the searches were GERD, PPI, and erosive esophagitis. Recommendations from the American College of Gastroenterology are also included in this manuscript.

RESULTS

The search resulted in ∼260 articles. The manuscript brings together and presents the results of recent recommendations from professional societies and recently published review articles on GERD.

CONCLUSION

GERD is one of the most common diagnoses made by gastroenterologists and primary care physicians. It is important to recognize the typical and atypical presentations of GERD. This paper helps primary care physicians understand the disease's pathophysiology, and when, how, and with what to treat GERD before referring patients to gastroenterologists or surgeons.

Drugs for improving esophageal mucosa defense: where are we now and where are we going?

In the past, the attention of physiologists and doctors has been mainly focused on the key role of acid in the pathogenesis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but increasing evidence that 20-40% of reflux patients respond not at all or only partially to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) has underlined the concept that factors other than acid are implicated in its development and the elicitation of symptoms. Among these, impaired mucosal integrity, particularly in most patients with non-erosive reflux disease, has recently been reincluded and the reinforcement of defensive mechanisms and/or its protection has been reappointed as a renewed therapeutic target for the management of GERD patients. In this review we will summarize the existing knowledge of the old and novel compounds able to produce this therapeutic effect, including sucralfate, alginate-based drugs, and a new medical device consisting of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate dispersed in a bioadhesive carrier, together with the potential indications for their use. It is to be stressed, however, that, although these compounds may represent a real alternative to PPI therapy in GERD, the combination of mucosal protection with acid suppression may help manage many cases with a partial or unsatisfactory response to PPIs alone.