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Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in the Elderly Patient

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Abstract

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is an especially common disorder in the elderly population. Its presentation in this population is often different from that in younger patients. A greater proportion of patients experience atypical GERD symptoms rather than heartburn or regurgitation, increasing the likelihood the diagnosis will be missed or overlooked. Elderly patients more commonly present with severe erosive esophagitis and GERD complications compared with younger patients, and thus may require more aggressive therapy. While diagnostic work-up and management of GERD in elderly patients is similar to the general population and primarily involves acid suppression with endoscopic and surgical techniques reserved for refractory cases, there are many important considerations that are particular to the elderly.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Digestive Health Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Michael Kurin

  2. The Esophageal and Swallowing Center, Digestive Health Center, MetroHealth Medical System, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Case Western Reserve University, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH, 44109, USA

    Ronnie Fass

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  1. Michael Kurin
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Correspondence to Ronnie Fass.

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No sources of funding or writing assistance were received for the preparation of this Article.

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Michael Kurin declares no conflict of interest. Ronnie Fass serves as an advisor to Ironwood, Takeda and Chinoin, speaker for Astrazeneca, Takeda Horizon Cadilla Pharmaceuticals, Diversitek and Eisai, and has received research support from Ironwood and Salix.

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Kurin, M., Fass, R. Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in the Elderly Patient. Drugs Aging 36, 1073–1081 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40266-019-00708-2

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