Editor’s Pick: Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management

Abstract

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most commonly encountered gastrointestinal diseases in clinical practice. Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) remain the cornerstone of the treatment of GERD. Up to one-third of patients do not respond to optimal doses of PPI and fall into the category of refractory GERD. Moreover, the long-term use of PPI is not risk-free, as previously thought. The pathophysiology of refractory GERD is multifactorial and includes reflux related and unrelated factors. It is therefore paramount to address refractory GERD as per the aetiology of the disease for optimal outcomes. The management options for PPI refractory GERD include optimisation of PPI, lifestyle modifications, and the addition of alginates and histamine-2 receptor blockers. Neuromodulators, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants, may be beneficial in those with functional heartburn and reflux hypersensitivity. Laparoscopic antireflux surgeries, including Nissen’s fundoplication and magnetic sphincter augmentation, are useful in patients with objective evidence of GERD on pH impedance studies with or without a hiatal hernia. More recently, endoscopic antireflux modalities have emerged as an alternative to surgery in patients with PPI-dependent and PPI-refractory GERD. Long-term data and randomised comparison studies, however, are required before incorporating endoscopic therapies in the management algorithm for refractory GERD.