Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Esophagitis

Abstract

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common digestive pathologies. It is a chronic condition caused by the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus and causes the appearance of symptoms sometimes associated with lesions of the esophageal mucosa. The main cause of gastroesophageal reflux is insufficient contraction of the lower esophageal sphincter and its pathological relaxation. A wide variety of pathologies (hiatal hernia, obesity), conditions (pregnancy), foods (chocolate, high-fat foods, carbonated drinks, coffee), and drugs (estrogens, progesterone, theophylline, antidepressants) can contribute to the occurrence of reflux esophagitis. Therapeutic management can sometimes be difficult. In the current therapeutic arsenal, the most used therapy is that with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). In cases with severe symptoms, even surgical treatment can be resorted to. Esophagitis from GERD must be differentiated from esophagitis associated with other etiologies such as eosinophilic esophagitis, infectious, drug induces, Esophagitis dissecans superficialis or necrotizing esophagitis.