GORD Flashcards
What is GORD?
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is where acid from the stomach refluxes through the lower oesophageal sphincter and irritates the lining of the oesophagus.
What is the difference between the epithelium of the stomach and the oesophagus?
The oesophagus has a squamous epithelial lining making it more sensitive to the effects of stomach acid. The stomach has a columnar epithelial lining that is more protected against stomach acid.
How does GORD present?
Dyspepsia is a non-specific term used to describe indigestion. It covers the symptoms of GORD:
Heartburn Acid regurgitation Retrosternal or epigastric pain Bloating Nocturnal cough Hoarse voice
Referring to endoscopy
Patients with evidence of a GI bleed (i.e. meleana or coffee ground vomiting) need admission and urgent endoscopy.
RED FLAGS
Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) at any age gets a two week wait referral Aged over 55 (this is generally the cut off for urgent versus routine referrals) Weight loss Upper abdominal pain / reflux Treatment resistant dyspepsia Nausea and vomiting Low haemoglobin Raised platelet count
Medical Management of GORD
Lifestyle advice Reduce tea, coffee and alcohol Weight loss Avoid smoking Smaller, lighter meals Avoid heavy meals before bed time Stay upright after meals rather than lying flat
Acid neutralising medication when required:
Gaviscon
Rennie
Proton pump inhibitors (reduce acid secretion in the stomach)
Omeprazole
Lansoprazole
Ranitidine
This is an alternative to PPIs
H2 receptor antagonist (antihistamine)
Reduces stomach acid
What are the surgical interventions for GORD?
Surgery for reflux is called laparoscopic fundoplication. This involves tying the fundus of the stomach around the lower oesophagus to narrow the lower oesophageal sphincter.
Describe H. Pylori
H. pylori is a gram negative aerobic bacteria. It lives in the stomach. It causes damage the epithelial lining of the stomach resulting in gastritis, ulcers and increasing the risk of stomach cancer. It avoids the acidic environment by forcing its way into the gastric mucosa. The breaks it creates in the mucosa exposes the epithelial cells underneath to acid.
It also produces ammonia to neutralise the stomach acid. The ammonia directly damages the epithelial cells. Other chemicals produced by the bacteria also damage the epithelial lining.
What are the tests for H.Pylori?
Urea breath test using radio labelled carbon 13
Stool antigen test
Rapid urease test can be performed during endoscopy.
A rapid urease test is also known as a CLO test (Campylobacter-like organism test). It is performed during endoscopy and involves taking a small biopsy of the stomach mucosa. Urea is added to this sample. If H. pylori are present, they produce urease enzymes that converts the urea to ammonia. The ammonia makes the solution more alkali giving a positive result on when the pH is tested
How is H. Pylori treated?
The eradication regime involves triple therapy with a proton pump inhibitor (e.g. omeprazole) plus 2 antibiotics (e.g. amoxicillin and clarithromycin) for 7 days.
What is Barret’s Oesophagus?
Constant reflux of acid results in the lower oesophageal epithelium changing in a process known as metaplasia from a squamous to a columnar epithelium. This change to columnar epithelium is called Barretts oesophagus. When this change happens patients typically get an improvement in reflux symptoms.
What is the link between Barret’s oesophagus and cancer?
Barretts oesophagus is considered a “premalignant” condition and is a risk factor for the development of adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus (3-5% lifetime risk with Barretts). Patients identified as having Barretts oesophagus are monitored for adenocarcinoma by regular endoscopy. In some patients there is a progression from Barretts oesophagus (columnar epithelium) with no dysplasia to low grade dysplasia to high grade dysplasia and then to adenocarcinoma.
How is Barret’s treated?
Treatment of Barretts oesophagus is with proton pump inhibitors (e.g. omeprazole). There is new evidence that treatment with regular aspirin can reduce the rate of adenocarcinoma developing however the is not yet in guidelines.
Ablation treatment during endoscopy using photodynamic therapy, laser therapy or cryotherapy is used to destroy the epithelium so that it is replaced with normal cells. This is not recommended in patients with no dysplasia but has a role in low and high grade dysplasia in preventing progression to cancer.
