Esophageal Disorders Flashcards
define dyspepsia
- impaired digestion
- Discomfort in upper abdomen or chest described as gas, feeling of fullness, gnawing, or burning
A. “Indigestion”
B. “Heartburn”
C. Agida”
What is the etiology of dyspepsia?
- 50-70% of cases, no definite organic cause determined
- Most common: GERD, PUD
- Less common: gastritis, esophageal/gastric CA, celiac disease, food allergy, IBD, gastroparesis, ischemic bowel Dz
Define dysphagia
- Difficulty swallowing (generally painless)
A. “Pressure” sensation or “food gets stuck” - Determine:
Solids (obstruction)
vs
Solids & liquids (mechanical abnormality)
What are the causes of dysphagia?
- Achalasia
- Esophageal CA
- Zenker’s diverticulum
- Schatzki’s ring
- Esophageal stenosis / stricture
Define Odynophagia
Painful swallowing
What causes odynophagia?
- Esophageal spasm (can also occur when not swallowing)
- Esophagitis
- Mallory-Weiss tear
What are the alarm symptoms of esophageal CA?
1. Dysphagia with: A. Age > 60 yr B. Anemia C. Heme (+) stools D. Sx’s > 6 mo E. Weight loss
What are the diagnostic modalities for esophageal disorders?
- Esophagram (Barium Swallow)
A. esophagus is viewed as a person is swallowing in order to see the peristalsis - Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD/upper endoscopy)
A. Stops at the duodenum - Esophageal Manometry (Motility testing)
A. Evaluate neuromuscular functions of esophagus/LES. Checks pressure and motility - 24 Hour Esophageal pH monitoring
A. Usually order by specialists for refractory cases
Define GERD
Recurrent reflux of gastric contents into distal esophagus due to mechanical or functional abnormality of Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES)
May cause tissue damage
What are the sxs of GERD?
1. Sx’s vary A. Pressure B. Heartburn (pyrosis) -↑ PP & supine -Relieved w/antacids C. Dysphagia D. Regurgitation E. Dysphagia F. Chronic laryngitis G. Sore throat or “lump in throat” sensation (globus) H. Halitosis I. Nausea J. Odynophagia K. Atypical CP L. Asthma M. Chronic cough
What is the epidemiology of GERD?
- Most have mild disease
- 25% report having heartburn at least 1x/month
- 5-10% daily sx’s
- M > F
- 9 million visits in US yearly
- Managing costs > $9 billion
How common is mucosal damage in GERD?
Esophageal mucosal damage in 1/3 of cases
What is the normal phys of gerd?
- LES
A. Normally contracts to maintain pressure ≈ 15 mmHg > intragastric pressure
What is the pathophys of GERD?
- Incompetent LES
- Pressure w/in stomach > LES pressure
- Retrograde flow of stomach contents
- High acid content in stomach causes pain & irritation in esophagus
- Scarring, stricture or ulceration may occur
- 1/3 of pts will have endoscopic abnormalities
What factors may promote GERD?
- ↑ Gastric volume after meals
- ↑ Gastric pressure
A. Truncal obesity
B. PostPrandial recumbency
C. Pregnancy - Delayed gastric emptying
A. Gastroparesis
What factors may contribute to GERD?
- Medications: cause back up of GI system
A. Anticholinergics (dyspepsia/constipation)
B. TCA’s (ileus)
C. NSAID’s
D. ASA
E. Steroids
F. Bisphosphanates - Foods: irritate lining of esophagus
A. Caffeine, chocolate, spicy foods, citrus, carbonated liquids
B. Fats: Slow to digest
C. Peppermint, ETOH: Relax LES - Lifestyle Behaviors
A. Smoking, wt gain, eating late, overeating
What dx studies are indicated to uncomplicated GERD?
None initially warranted for pts w/ typical uncomplicated GERD sx’s
When is investigation of the esophagus warranted with EGD/upper endoscopy?
- New-onset asthma in adult
- “Alarm” features
A. Dysphagia w/
B. Age > 60 yr
C. Anemia
D. Heme (+) stools
E. Sx’s > 6 mo
F. Weight loss
What complications can result from GERD?
- Reflux Esophagitis
- Esophageal Stricture
- Barrett’s Esophagus
What is esophagitis?
- Inflammation of esophagus
- Causes in non-immunocompromised pt
A. Candidiasis
B. Pills:
Alendronate (Fosamax), risendronate (Actonel), doxycycline, NSAIDs, iron, Vit C, KCl, quinine
How is esophagitis caused by candidiasis treated?
Tx with oral fluconazole (Diflucan)
How is esophagitis caused by pills treated?
Tx w/Sucralfate (Carafate) susp., viscous lidocaine, pt. ed
What is reflux esophagitis?
A. Visible mucosal damage
B. Erosions or ulcers in distal esophagus at squamocolumnar junction (Z line)
What is esophgeal stricture? How frequent is it?
- 5% of GERD cases
- Most located at GE junction
- Gradual development of solid food dysphagia over mo – yrs
How is esophageal stricture treated?
- Endoscopy
- Tx w/dilatation via “sounds” & PPI
- Sounds: hard rubber instrument with increasing diameter to stretch the area of stricture
What is Barrett’s esophagus? What can it lead to?
- Normal squamous epithelium of distal esophagus replaced by specialized intestinal metaplasia (SIM)
- M>F (3:1)
- Can lead to AdenoCA
What are the risk factors for esophageal adenocarcinoma?
- Large Hiatal Hernia
- Duration of GERD
- Long segment of Barrett’s Esophagus
- Abnormal mucosa
A. Ulcerations
B. Stricture
C. Nodules
What is the gold standard for diagnosing Barrett’s esophagus?
Upper Endoscopy (EGD) w/ Bx of distal esophagus
What are the treatment goals for GERD?
- Relieve symptoms
- Heal inflammation
- Prevent complications
What lifestyle modifications can be used to treat GERD?
- Small meals
- Eliminate acidic/caffeinated foods
- Eliminate factors that relax LES
- Weight reduction
- Avoid lying down w/in 3 hr of meals
- Elevate HOB 6-8”
- Smoking cessation
- Chew (non-mint) gum to ↑ saliva
What meds are used for mild intermittent sxs of gerd?
- Antacids
2. H2 blocker
What are examples of antacids and contraindications?
- Mg* containing antacids should be avoided by CRF pts
2. Tums, Rolaids, Maalox, Baking Soda, Mylanta, Gaviscon
What is the moa and examples of H2 blockers?
- Blocks H2 receptors in gastric parietal cells -> reduces gastric acid secretion
A. cimetidine / Tagamet
B. ranitidine / Zantac* (can be used in babies/fewest drug interactions)
C. famotidine / Pepcid
D. nizatidine/ Axid
What is the treatment for persistent gerd sxs?
- Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI)
- Sx’s despite conservative treatment or w/known complications
A. PPI qd x 4-8 weeks (can ↑ to bid after 2-4 weeks if needed)
B. Add H2-receptor antagonist in those who continue to have symptoms
What is the moa of ppis? What are ex?
- Blocks H+/K+ ATPase pump on apical surface of parietal cell
A. omeprazole / Prilosec B. lansoprozole/ Prevacid C. pantoprozole / Protonix D. esomeprazole / Nexium E. Rabeprazole / Aciphex F. Dexlansoprazole / Dexilant (Kapidex) G. Omeprazole + NaHCO3 / Zegerid
Increases in dose can cause diarrhea
What is long term therapy for gerd?
- PPI Therapy
A. If sx’s relieved, therapy may be d/c’d after 8-12 wk
B. Pt w/complications of GERD, lifelong PPI qd-bid
What is indicated if pt unresponsive to PPI?
- upper endoscopy indicated to R/O:
A. Reflux esophagitis, ZE syndrome, Barrett’s esophagus, stricture, PUD, eosinophilic esophagitis, tumor
How often is EGD surveillance indicated for Barrett’s esophagitis w/o dysplasia?
No dysplasia: q 2-3 yr, after 2 yearly (-) biopsy results