Dypepsia and GERD Flashcards
What is dyspepsia (3)
- Epigastric pain or discomfort originating from upper GI tract
- An umbrella term to describe many possible symptoms and causes
- Termed functional dyspepsia if no abnormalities found
What is GERD? (2)
- Reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus
- Described as heartburn
What is PUD? (2)
- An ulcer formed in the gastric or duodenal mucosa
- May have symptoms similar to dyspepsia / GERD
Functional dyspepsia has many potential mechanisms. List them (6)
- Gastric motility and compliance
- Visceral hypersensitivity
- Helicobacter pylori infection
- Altered gut microbiome
- Duodenal inflammation
- Psychosocial dysfunction
What are some risk factors for dyspepsia? (7)
- No strong association with sex, age, socioeconomic status
- Dietary indiscretion
- Medications
- H. pylori infection
- Anxiety
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- ?Smoking or alcohol use
There are many drugs that can induce dyspepsia. What are the 4 most important ones to know?
- Bisphosphonates
- Iron
- NSAIDs
- Potassium
There are many symptoms that qualify as dyspepsia. What are the 2 most important ones to know?
- Epigastric pain or discomfort
- Fullness or early satiety
How long do dyspepsia symptoms typically last. How do they present?
- > 1 month duration of symptoms
- Often follows relapsing - remitting course
The main alarming symptoms (red flags) of dyspepsia are? (Remember VBAD!)
Vomiting
Bleeding/anemia
Abdominal mass or unexplained weight loss
Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) or odynophagia (painful swallowing)
Should know the steps of the systematic approach in patients with dyspepsia (6)
- Other possible causes?
- Abdominal or pancreatic cancer, for example - Upper GI location?
- New onset symptoms (other than reflux/heartburn) > 50 (++ > 60) or red flag symptoms?
- NSAID use?
- Reflux or regurgitation as main symptom?
- H. pylori present?
What are 6 potential causes of GERD?
- Defective lower esophageal sphincter
- Increased intra-abdominal pressure
- Hiatal hernia
- Impaired esophageal peristalsis
- Delayed gastric emptying
- Excessive gastric acid production
Risk factors for developing GERD include: (9)
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Family history
- Smoking
- Increased age (>65)
- Hiatal hernia
- Stress and anxiety
- Medications
- Diet
There are many drugs that can induce GERD. What are the 3 most important ones to know?
- Anticholinergics
- Benzodiazepines
- Opioids
Dietary contributors to GERD include: (7)
- Over-eating*
- Fatty foods
- Chocolate
- Coffee
- Alcohol
- Carbonated drinks
- Acidic juices
The primary symptoms of GERD are heartburn and regurgitation, but what are some other findings? (3)
- Belching
- Hypersalivation (water brash)
- Non-cardiac chest pain
What are some atypical extra-esophageal symptoms that may be present with GERD? (6)
- Chronic cough
- Throat clearing
- Shortness of breath or wheezing
- Laryngitis
- Oropharyngeal symptoms
- Dental erosions
Classification of GERD:
Mild vs. Moderate to Severe
What is the difference in terms of intensity?
Mild = low
Moderate to severe = high
Classification of GERD:
Mild vs. Moderate to Severe
Interference with daily activities?
Mild = no
Moderate to severe = yes
Classification of GERD:
Mild vs. Moderate to Severe
Frequency?
Mild < 3/week
Moderate to severe ≥ 3/week
Classification of GERD:
Mild vs. Moderate to Severe
Duration?
Mild = < 6 months
Moderate to severe = ≥ 6 months
Classification of GERD:
Mild vs. Moderate to Severe
Nocturnal symptoms?
Mild = no
Moderate to severe = yes
Classification of GERD:
Mild vs. Moderate to Severe
Complications?
Mild = no
Moderate to severe = yes
GERD can be further classified into what 2 types?
- Non-erosive reflux disease - less severe
- Erosive esophagitis - more severe, mucosal damage
Potential complications of GERD inlcude: (5)
- Esophagitis
- Esophageal stricture
- Esophageal erosions
- Barrett’s esophagus
- Esophageal cancer
Red flags for physician referral for GERD includes: (VBAD +2)
- Vomiting
- Bleeding/anemia
- Abdominal mass or unexplained weight loss
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) or odynophagia (painful swallowing)
- Choking
- Constant pain
How is GERD typically diagnosed? (3)
- Diagnosis made based on symptoms after ruling out other causes
- Those with typical symptoms do not require invasive testing
- Trial course of pharmacologic therapy is a useful diagnostic tool
When diagnosing GERD, upper endoscopy is not typically required. Who are some candidates who would require it though? (4)
- New onset symptoms (other than reflux/heartburn) >50 (>60) or red flag symptoms
- Any alarm features
- Refractory GERD
- At risk for Barrett’s esophagus
Other diagnostic tests for GERD include: (3)
- Barium swallow
- Esophageal manometry
- Ambulatory esophageal pH monitoring
What are the goals of therapy for GERD? (5)
- Relieve symptoms
- Promote healing of injured mucosa
- Prevent and treat complications
- Prevent recurrence
- Avoid issues with long-term use of pharmacotherapy
Non-pharmacologic treatment should be considered in all GERD patients. What are the 3 most important lifestyle changes that may demonstrate benefit?
- Lose and maintain ideal weight
- Stop smoking
- Elevate head of bed
As-needed or on-demand pharmacologic treatment of GERD includes what 4 drug classes?
- Alginates
- Antacids
- Histamine 2 Receptor Antagonists (H2RAs)
- Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs)
What are 2 pharmacologic adjunct treatments of GERD?
- Domperidone
- Metoclopramide
What is THE alginate medication used for GERD?
Sodium alginate
What is the indication for sodium alginate use?
How about CIs?
Side effects (3)?
- Mild, intermittent, post-prandial GERD
- No CIs
- Bloating, flatulence, belching
What is the MOA of sodium alginate?
Forms a viscous “raft” that floats within the stomach (not proven)
What is the administration of sodium alginate?
What is the onset and duration of action?
- Taken ~1 hour after eating
- Rapid onset and short duration < 1 hour
What are the 6 antacid medications?
- Aluminum hydroxide
- Magnesium hydroxide
- Magnesium trisilicate
- Calcium carbonate
- Sodium bicarbonate
- Combination of above
What is the indication for antacids?
Mild, infrequent, post-prandial GERD
What is the CI for antacids?
Avoid in severe renal impairment
- Unless dialysis - Ca carbonate for phosphate binding
What is the MOA of antacids? (3)
- Neutralizes stomach acid
- Inhibits pepsin generation
- Binds to bile acids
What is the onset and duration of action of antacids? (i.e., how fast until they work and for how long?)
- Rapid acting
- Short duration of action
What is the dosing and administration of antacids? (2)
- Chew 2-4 tablets up to QID (max 8-16 tablets)
- 30-60 minutes after a meal and/or at bedtime
What is the total dose of a calcium carbonate tablet? How much of that is elemental?
Total dose = 400-1000mg
Elemental = 160-400mg
What is the total dose of an aluminum hydroxide tablet? How much of that is elemental?
Total dose = 80-200mg
Elemental = 28-70mg
What is the total dose of a magnesium hydroxide tablet? How much of that is elemental?
Total dose = 100-300mg
Elemental = 40-120mg
What are the common side effects of the following antacids:
Aluminum
Magnesium
Calcium
Aluminum - constipating
Magnesium - laxative effect
Calcium - well tolerated