exudates and Gastroesophageal-Reflux

Late-night supper increases the risk of postprandial reflux from the acid pocket especially in obesity. An alginate-based, raft-forming medication may be useful for obese patients with GERD.. To compare the efficacy of Gaviscon Advance (Reckitt Benckiser, UK) and a non-alginate antacid in post-supper suppression of the acid pocket and post-prandial reflux among obese participants.. Participants underwent 48 h wireless and probe-based pH-metry recording of the acid pocket and lower oesophagus, respectively, and were randomised to single post-supper (10 pm) dose of either Gaviscon Advance or a non-alginate antacid on the second night. Primary outcomes were suppression of median pH of acid pocket and lower oesophagus, measured every 10-minutes post-supper for 1 h. Secondary outcomes were suppression of % time pH < 4 at lower oesophagus and improvement in frequency and visual analogue score (VAS) of regurgitation.. Of the 81 screened participants, 55 were excluded and 26 (mean age 33.5 years, males 77.8% and BMI 32.8 kg/m. Among obese individuals, Gaviscon Advance was superior to a non-alginate antacid in post-supper suppression of the acid pocket. (Clinical trial registration unique identifier: NCT03516188).

Topics: Adult; Alginates; Aluminum Hydroxide; Antacids; Anti-Ulcer Agents; Drug Combinations; Female; Gastric Acid; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Malaysia; Male; Meals; Middle Aged; Obesity; Postprandial Period; Silicic Acid; Sodium Bicarbonate; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is thought to be the commonest cause of 'non-cardiac chest pain'. The use of proton-pump inhibitors resulting in improvement in the chest pain symptom would support this causal association.. To determine the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in non-cardiac chest pain and the response of chest pain to proton-pump inhibitor therapy.. Patients with recurrent angina-like chest pain and normal coronary angiogram were recruited. The frequency and severity of chest pain were recorded. All patients underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and 48-h Bravo ambulatory pH monitoring before receiving rabeprazole 20 mg bd for 2 weeks.. The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease was 66.7% (18/27). The improvement in chest pain score was significantly higher in reflux compared to non-reflux patients (P = 0.006). The proportion of patients with complete or marked/moderate improvement in chest pain symptoms were significantly higher in patients with reflux (15/18, 83.3%) compared to those without (1/9, 11.1%) (P < 0.001).. The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients with 'non-cardiac chest pain' was high. The response to treatment with proton-pump inhibitors in patients with reflux disease, but not in those without, underlined the critical role of acid reflux in a subset of patients with 'non-cardiac chest pain'.

Topics: 2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles; Adult; Aged; Asian People; Chest Pain; Endoscopy, Digestive System; Esophageal pH Monitoring; Female; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Proton Pump Inhibitors; Rabeprazole; Recurrence; Severity of Illness Index; Treatment Outcome

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Questionnaire (GERDQ) and Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia Questionnaire (QOLRAD) are reliable tools for evaluation of GERD.. We aimed to test validity and reliability of Malay language translations of GERDQ and QOLRAD in a primary care setting.. The questionnaires were first translated into the Malay language (GERDQ-M and QOLRAD-M). Patients from primary care clinics with suspected GERD were recruited to complete GERDQ-M, QOLRAD-M, and Malay-translated 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36 or SF-36-M), and underwent endoscopy and 24-h pH-impedance test.. A total of 104 (mean age 47.1 years, women 51.9%) participants were enrolled. The sensitivity and specificity for GERDQ-M cut-off score ≥8 were 90.2 and 77.4%, respectively. Based on this cut-off score, 54.7% had a high probability of GERD diagnosis. GERD-M score ≥8 vs. < 8 was associated with erosive esophagitis (p < 0.001), hiatus hernia (p = 0.03), greater DeMeester score (p = 0.001), and Zerbib scores for acid refluxes (p < 0.001) but not non-acid refluxes (p = 0.1). Mean total scores of QOLRAD-M and SF-36-M were correlated (r = 0.74, p < 0.001). GERDQ-M ≥8, erosive esophagitis, and DeMeester ≥14.72 were associated with impaired QOLRAD-M in all domains (all p < 0.02) but this was not seen with SF-36.. GERDQ-M and QOLRAD-M are valid and reliable tools applicable in a primary care setting.

Topics: Adult; Dyspepsia; Endoscopy; Female; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Humans; Language; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Primary Health Care; Quality of Life; Reproducibility of Results; ROC Curve; Surveys and Questionnaires; Translations

Tuberculosis remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in underdeveloped and developing nations. Manifestations could be nonspecific and may mimic many other conditions, including malignancies. Oesophageal involvement is surprisingly rare despite the high prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis and the close proximity of these two structures. We report two cases of oesophageal tuberculosis; a 73-year-old man with simultaneous oesophageal, stomach and duodenal involvement, and a 45-year-old man with isolated oesophageal involvement. Underlying malignancies were initially suspected in both cases, but they were eventually diagnosed as tuberculosis.

Topics: Abdominal Pain; Aged; Diagnosis, Differential; Esophageal Diseases; Esophageal Neoplasms; Esophagoscopy; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Granuloma; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal

Ethnic differences in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and its complications as well as racial variations in the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection are well documented. Nevertheless, the association between reflux disease, H. pylori, and race has not been adequately explored.. We estimated the strength of the association between H. pylori, ethnicity, and the gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) spectrum, including Barrett's esophagus, in Asian patients presenting for endoscopy in a tertiary referral center.. Prospectively, we studied 188 consecutive patients with GERD, short- and long-segment Barrett's esophagus, and controls. All patients underwent gastroscopy with gastric biopsies to assess H. pylori, gastritis, and atrophy. CagA status and H. pylori infection were determined by immunoblot assay.. The overall prevalence of H. pylori infection was 52.1% (of which 77.6% were cagA(+)) and was lowest in the long-segment Barrett's esophagus group (36.7%) (p = .048). When Barrett's esophagus was present, the length of abnormality was 44.8% shorter in the presence of H. pylori (p = .015). Indians had the highest prevalence of H. pylori (75%) and Malays the lowest (19.6%) (p < .001). In Indians, increased prevalence of H. pylori and cagA-positive strains was associated with reduced severity of GERD (p < .004 and p < .001, respectively), a trend not apparent in the other races. Corpus atrophy, which was almost exclusively associated with H. pylori, was highest in Indians as compared to the other races (p = .013).. Presence of H. pylori was associated with a reduced severity of GERD spectrum disease in Asians, especially Indians. H. pylori infection may protect against complicated reflux disease via induction of corpus atrophy.

Topics: Adult; Antigens, Bacterial; Bacterial Proteins; Barrett Esophagus; Case-Control Studies; Female; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Helicobacter Infections; Helicobacter pylori; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Prospective Studies

Characteristic immune profiles have been demonstrated in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. However, the genetic basis of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease remains unclear.. To investigate whether certain human leucocyte antigen genes are associated with Barrett's oesophagus.. Asian patients of Malay, Chinese and Indian descent with Barrett's oesophagus (n = 59) and those without reflux symptoms and a normal oesophagus (n =60) were recruited prospectively using endoscopic and histopathological criteria. Human leucocyte antigen class I and II typing was performed using a polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific primers method.. The HLA-B7 allele was present in 17% (10 of 59) of patients with Barrett's oesophagus when compared with 0% (zero of 60) of controls [P = 0.0006, corrected P = 0.0171, OR = 25.67]. Subgroup analysis revealed that the HLA-B7 allele was confined almost exclusively to Indians with Barrett's oesophagus, 43% (nine of 21) vs. 0% (zero of 19) Indian controls (P = 0.0014, corrected P = 0.0406, OR = 29.64). No class II associations, protective human leucocyte antigens or extended haplotypes for disease susceptibility were identified.. Barrett's oesophagus in Asians, particularly Indians, is strongly positively associated with HLA-B7; reinforcing a genetic component to gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. A larger sample size and different ethnic populations should be genotyped to further confirm this association and identify possible additional risk factors in the human leucocyte antigen locus.

Topics: Asian People; Barrett Esophagus; Cohort Studies; Female; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Gene Frequency; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; Histocompatibility Testing; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies

There is a paucity of data directly comparing dyspepsia in Western and Eastern populations.. To compare clinical symptoms, epidemiological factors and endoscopic diagnoses in two sample populations with dyspepsia from the United Kingdom and South-East Asia in a cross-sectional study.. Patients with uncomplicated dyspepsia attending endoscopy units in Leeds, UK, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, were prospectively interviewed and underwent subsequent endoscopy.. A total of 1003 Malaysian patients (January 2002 to August 2003) and 597 Caucasian British patients (January 2000 to October 2002) were studied. The mean age was 48.7 +/- 15.8 and 47.5 +/- 13.8 years for the Malaysian and British patients respectively (P = NS). There was a higher proportion of cigarette smoking (35.7% vs. 12.4%, P < 0.0001) and alcohol consumption (34.4% vs. 2.0%, P < 0.0001) amongst British patients, but no difference in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use nor having Helicobacter pylori infection. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms were more common in British compared with South-East Asian patients [heartburn (72% vs. 41%), regurgitation (66% vs. 29.8%) and dysphagia (21.1% vs. 7.3%), P < 0.0001]. This correlated with an increased endoscopic finding of oesophagitis (26.8% vs. 5.8%) and columnar-lined oesophagus (4.4% vs. 0.9%) amongst British patients (P < 0.001). A logistic regression model revealed that British Caucasian race (OR 9.7; 95% CI = 5.0-18.8), male gender (OR 2.0; 95% CI = 1.4-2.9) and not having H. pylori infection (OR 0.5; 95% CI = 0.3-0.7) were independent predictors for oesophagitis.. GERD is more common in British compared with South-East Asian dyspeptic patients suggesting that race and/or western lifestyle are important risk factors.

Topics: Asian People; Dyspepsia; England; Esophagitis; Female; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Humans; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Regression Analysis; White People

To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), reflux oesophagitis and non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) amongst Malaysian patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination.. A cross-sectional study on consecutive patients with dyspepsia undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.. A large general hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.. Consecutive patients undergoing endoscopy for upper abdominal discomfort were examined for the presence of reflux oesophagitis, hiatus hernia and Barrett's oesophagus. The diagnosis and classification of reflux oesophagitis was based on the Los Angeles classification. Patients with predominant symptoms of heartburn or acid regurgitation of at least one per month for the past 6 months in the absence of reflux oesophagitis were diagnosed as having NERD. The prevalence of GORD, reflux oesophagitis and NERD were analysed in relation to age, gender, race, body mass index (BMI), presence of hiatus hernia, Helicobacter pylori status, alcohol intake, smoking and level of education.. One thousand patients were studied prospectively. Three hundred and eighty-eight patients (38.8%) were diagnosed as having GORD based on either predominant symptoms of heartburn and acid regurgitation and/or findings of reflux oesophagitis. One hundred and thirty-four patients (13.4%) had endoscopic evidence of reflux oesophagitis. Two hundred and fifty-four (65.5%) were diagnosed as having NERD. Hiatus hernia was found in 6.7% and Barrett's oesophagus in 2% of patients. Of our patients with reflux oesophagitis 20.1% had grade C and D oesophagitis. No patients had strictures. Following logistic regression analysis, the independent risk factors for GORD were Indian race (odds ratio (OR), 3.25; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.38-4.45), Malay race (OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.16-2.38), BMI > 25 (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.04-1.92), presence of hiatus hernia (OR, 4.21; 95% CI, 2.41-7.36), alcohol consumption (OR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.11-5.23) and high education level (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.02-2.26). For reflux oesophagitis independent the risk factors male gender (OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.08-2.49), Indian race (OR, 3.25; 95% CI, 2.05-5.17), presence of hiatus hernia (OR, 11.67; 95% CI, 6.40-21.26) and alcohol consumption (OR, 3.22; 95% CI, 1.26-8.22). For NERD the independent risk factors were Indian race (OR, 3.45; 95% CI, 2.42-4.92), Malay race (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.20-2.69), BMI > 25 (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.04, 2.06) and high education level (OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.06-2.59).. Reflux oesophagitis and Barrett's oesophagus were not as uncommon as previously thought in a multiracial Asian population and a significant proportion of our patients had severe grades of reflux oesophagitis. NERD, however, still constituted the larger proportion of patients with GORD. Indian race was consistently a significant independent risk factor for reflux oesophagitis, NERD and for GORD overall.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alcohol Drinking; Barrett Esophagus; China; Cross-Sectional Studies; Educational Status; Esophagitis; Female; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Gastroscopy; Helicobacter Infections; Helicobacter pylori; Hernia, Hiatal; Humans; India; Logistic Models; Malaysia; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Smoking

Recent studies indicate that the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Asia is either increasing or better recognized. There is a paucity of reliable data on the prevalence of reflux disease in the various races in general and in Malaysia, in particular. The prevalence of erosive esophagitis and Barrett's esophagus in a multiethnic Malaysian population was studied, as well as the relationship of various factors associated with reflux disease. Chinese, Malay, and Indian patients undergoing gastroscopy in a tertiary referral center were assessed for the presence of esophagitis, hiatus hernia, and Barrett's esophagus. Patient demographics and risk factors associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease were also documented. The prevalence of endoscopically documented esophagitis among 1985 patients was 6.1%, the majority of which were mild, Grade I or II (88%). There was a preponderance of Indians with esophagitis, as well as males (P < 0.05) and those with the presence of a hiatus hernia (P < 0.01). Long-segment Barrett's esophagus was found in 1.6% of patients, and short-segment Barrett's in 4.6%. Indians had the highest prevalence of Barrett's esophagus compared with Chinese (P < 0.05) or Malays (P < 0.01). Hiatus hernia and erosive esophagitis were both positively associated with Barrett's metaplasia (P < 0.01). A significant proportion of Malaysian patients undergoing endoscopy has mild reflux esophagitis and Barrett's esophagus. Indian ethnicity and the presence of a hiatus hernia were significantly associated with endoscopic esophagitis and Barrett's metaplasia. These observed racial differences warrant further study.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Barrett Esophagus; Cohort Studies; Esophagitis; Esophagoscopy; Esophagus; Female; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Hernia, Hiatal; Humans; India; Malaysia; Male; Metaplasia; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Sex Distribution

This was a cross sectional study conducted in the Paediatric Institute among infants and children with chronic respiratory symptoms with the following objectives: i) to determine the prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux in children with persistent respiratory symptoms, ii) to identify the clinical predictors of GOR (Gastro-oesophageal reflux) in children with persistent respiratory symptoms and iii) assess the validity of abdominal ultrasound, barium oesophagogram and chest radiograph in diagnosing GOR in these patients.. Forty-four patients were recruited over a period of six months. All the presenting symptoms were identified. The patients were subjected to chest radiograph, abdominal ultrasound, barium oesophagogram and 24-hour pH oesophageal monitoring. The predictive validity of clinical symptoms, chest radiograph, abdominal ultrasound and barium oesophagogram were assessed. Twenty-four hours oesophageal pH was the gold standard to diagnose GOR.. The mean age of patients was 9.1 months (1-58 months). Thirty-one patients (70.5%) were confirmed to have GOR by pH study. Respiratory symptoms alone were not useful to predict GOR. Cough had the highest sensitivity of 51.6%. Stridor, wheeze and choking each had a specificity of 76%. Wheeze, vomiting, choking and stridor were identified to have high specificity (90-100%) in diagnosing GOR when any two symptoms were taken in combination. Collapse/consolidation was the commonest radiological abnormality but had low sensitivity (35.5%) and specificity (53.8%). However hyperinflation on chest radiograph had a specificity of 92.3% with positive predictive value of 80% in diagnosing GOR. Barium oesophagogram has low sensitivity (37.9%) and moderate specificity (75%) in diagnosing GOR in children with respiratory symptoms. Abdominal ultrasound was a valid mode of diagnosing GOR when there were three or more reflux episodes demonstrated during the screening period with a specificity of 90.9%. However the sensitivity was low i.e. 20-25%. The specificity increased to 90-100% when two positive tests were taken in combination (abdominal ultrasound and barium oesophagogram). However the sensitivity remained low (10-20%). Chest radiograph did not improve the predictive value when considered with the above tests. Combination of clinical symptoms were useful as clinical predictors of GOR. In the absence of a pH oesophageal monitoring, a combination of barium oesophagogram and ultrasound may be helpful in diagnosing GOR.

Topics: Barium; Child, Preschool; Chronic Disease; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Gastroesophageal Reflux; Humans; Infant; Malaysia; Male; Radiography, Thoracic; Respiratory Insufficiency; Sensitivity and Specificity; Ultrasonography