Abstract
The Montreal classification has described the presentation of symptoms in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The authors of the Montreal classification define the disease with symptoms: “GERD is a condition which develops when the reflux of stomach contents causes troublesome symptoms and/or complications.” Heartburn and regurgitation are the most typical symptoms characterizing GERD. In clinical practice, a variety of esophageal and extraesophageal symptoms can be documented in patients referred for the diagnostic confirmation or exclusion of GERD. GERD may present with a large variety of symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation, thoracic pain, epigastric pain, respiratory symptoms, globus, and others. There can be an overlap with symptoms from other esophageal and gastric disorders such as dyspepsia, esophageal motility disorders, functional heartburn, hypersensitive esophagus, irritable stomach, and bowel and somatoform disorders. Since the symptom spectrum is complex, the use of objective studies can help further diagnose GERD. Objective studies and patient questionnaires should be always performed to verify the disease and help in determining treatment for GERD.
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Broderick, R.C., Fuchs, KH. (2020). Symptom Spectrum in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. In: Horgan, S., Fuchs, KH. (eds) Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-48009-7_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-48009-7_2
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