Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease News and Research

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Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a more serious form of gastroesophageal reflux (GER), which is common. GER occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens spontaneously, for varying periods of time, or does not close properly and stomach contents rise up into the esophagus. GER is also called acid reflux or acid regurgitation, because digestive juices—called acids—rise up with the food. The esophagus is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. The LES is a ring of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus that acts like a valve between the esophagus and stomach.

UCC professor receives International Leadership Award from ACG

UCC's Professor Eamonn Quigley has been awarded an International Leadership Award from the American College of Gastroenterology, the first person to receive this award worldwide.

3 Nov 2011

Observer bias increases likelihood of GERD diagnosis

Patients who complain of upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms often face a diagnosis of either gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or functional dyspepsia. Because the two conditions often overlap, it can be difficult to distinguish between them and diagnose them properly. Yet ambulatory care facilities and hospitals have reported a dramatic increase in the number of GERD-related visits/discharges in recent years.

31 Oct 2011

Gastroenterologist cautions against over-prescription of acid-suppressing drugs in infants

Frequent spitting up, irritability, and unexplained crying in infants can be very distressing to parents. Pediatricians often prescribe acid-suppressing drugs for these symptoms in an effort to treat infants for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); however, GERD is an uncommon cause of these symptoms in otherwise thriving infants.

21 Oct 2011

Patients with episodic gallbladder pain may benefit from cholecystectomy

According to a new study in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, better understanding of a patient's abdominal pain could help physicians know which patients will benefit most from surgical removal of the gallbladder.

14 Oct 2011

Common symptoms of pediatric feeding disorder

Catering to a child who is a picky eater is like being a short-order cook: chaotic. Dinnertime becomes a war zone, leading to hopeless battles fought over vegetables and macaroni and cheese.

20 Sep 2011

New advances in genomics, molecular diagnostics to be showcased at CAP 2011 meeting

The latest developments in molecular diagnostics, personalized medicine, and genetics testing will be featured topics when more than 1,000 pathologists gather at the Gaylord Texan on September 11 – 14 for the annual scientific meeting of the College of American Pathologists.

24 Aug 2011

Study helps clarify definition of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Modifying stomach acid levels may not be enough to treat symptoms in neonates suspected of having gastroesophageal reflux disease. According to a study from Nationwide Children's Hospital, this is the first study to classify reflux and its associated symptoms in neonates based on how and what is refluxed.

9 Aug 2011

Medically treated patients with GERD more likely to develop esophageal cancer

Medically treated patients with mild or no symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are at higher risk for developing esophageal cancer than those with severe GERD symptoms, according to a University of Pittsburgh study published in the current issue of Archives of Surgery.

19 Jul 2011

Study traces precursor of deadly esophageal cancers to leftover embryonic cells

The ultimate source of some cancers is embryonic cells. Research published in the June 24th Cell, a Cell Press publication, traces the precursor of deadly esophageal cancers to leftover embryonic cells found in all adults.

24 Jun 2011

Surgical lung injury prediction model can help identify patients at high risk of ALI

A new study in the July issue of Anesthesiology helped developed a model that could determine which patients are at high risk of developing acute lung injury.

23 Jun 2011

Two genes linked to worst cases of esophageal cancer

University of Rochester Medical Center researchers have pinpointed two genes that are amplified in the worst cases of esophageal cancer, providing data to support a new investigational treatment that targets those same genes.

19 May 2011

China Pharma first quarter revenue increases 20% to $18.1 million

China Pharma Holdings, Inc., a fully-integrated specialty pharmaceuticals company in China, today announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

11 May 2011

Multiband mucosectomy safe and effective for treating Barrett's esophagus

An increasingly popular technique for removing lesions associated with Barrett's esophagus has been deemed a safe and effective treatment option in a study of more than 1,000 resections published this month in the European journal Endoscopy.

10 May 2011

AstraZeneca receives FDA approval for NEXIUM I.V. to treat GERD with erosive esophagitis

AstraZeneca announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of NEXIUM I.V. for Injection for children ages greater than 1 month old for the short-term treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease with erosive esophagitis when oral therapy is not possible or appropriate.

3 May 2011

Porter Adventist Hospital introduces new institute for robotic surgery

Robotic surgery, once the stuff of science fiction, has for some years been recognized as an important advance in surgical technique and patient experience. Now, at Porter Adventist Hospital, a comprehensive team of surgeons and staff are helping to bring in a new era in robotic surgery.

2 May 2011

Multipolar electrocoagulation is a safe, effective therapy for Barrett's esophagus

A new study reports that multipolar electrocoagulation in combination with acid suppression is a safe and effective method to ablate nondysplastic Barrett's esophagus over the long term.

26 Apr 2011

Results of study evaluating potential inhibitory effects of PPIs on Plavix presented at ACC 2011

Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. announced the presentation of new study results, which evaluated the potential inhibitory effects of certain proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) on Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate). The results showed that in healthy subjects, clopidogrel's active metabolite and inhibition of platelet function were reduced less by the co-administration of clopidogrel with dexlansoprazole or lansoprazole, rather than esomeprazole.

6 Apr 2011

AGA guidelines recommend RFA for removal of precancerous cells in patients with Barrett's esophagus

New guidelines issued by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) support the use of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to remove precancerous cells in patients with Barrett's esophagus, a condition most commonly caused by chronic acid reflux, or GERD. Barrett's esophagus is the leading cause of esophageal cancer and affects an estimated two million Americans.

5 Apr 2011

Robotic surgery for prostate cancer safe over the long term

In the first study of its kind, urologists and biostatisticians at Henry Ford Hospital have found that robot-assisted surgery to remove cancerous prostate glands is safe over the long term, with a major complication rate of less than one percent.

24 Mar 2011

DISCUSS survey findings highlight need to prioritize GERD dialogue

According to findings from the new nationwide DISCUSS Survey, many people surveyed report that their gastroesophageal reflux disease and/or persistent heartburn symptoms significantly disrupt their lives.

24 Mar 2011