Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is currently recognized as a precancerous lesion of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Gender, age, obesity, smoking and some other factors are closely related to BE, but the exact pathogenesis is still unclear. Gastrointestinal microecology is of great significance to the human body. It is closely related to human immunity, tumor, chronic inflammation, nutrient absorption, material metabolism. It may be closely related to the occurrence and development of BE. This article reviews the research progress of the relationship between BE and gastrointestinal microecology, aiming to provide a basis for further clarifying the pathogenesis of BE and targeting intervention in BE.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common, chronic disease of the digestive system. In recent years, endoluminal therapy for GERD has become a research hotspot. The reduced anti-reflux barrier function plays an important role in the occurrence of GERD. Peroral endoscopic therapy can improve the defect of anti-reflux barrier function. According to the involved layers, the endoscopic therapy can be classified as transmural which represented by transoral incisionless and transoral incisionless fundoplication, and non-transmural which represented by peroral endoscopic cardia constriction and radiofrequency ablation. This article reviews the progress of endoscopic non-full-thickness therapy for GERD in recent years, and introduces the action mechanism of peroral endoscopic therapy of GERD, the therapy of the mucosal layer and muscle layer of anti-reflux barrier, and other treatments. The purpose is to provide a reference for further exploring suitable endoscopic treatment of GERD.
ObjectiveTo explore and analyze the clinical diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) which is manifested mainly as stubborn pharyngitis. MethodsFrom February 2010 to December 2012, 79 cases were diagnosed as stubborn pharyngitis and otolaryngology standard treatment was invalid. GERD questionnaire ratings and conventional endoscopy were performed for patients with obvious manifestations of stubborn pharyngitis shown on the laryngoscopy. They were randomly divided into treatment group (n=40) and control group (n=39). Patients in the treatment group accepted esomeprazole 40 mg, qd, for 12 weeks; and patients in the control group had sucralfate suspension 15 mL bid for 12 weeks. At the three observation points which are 4, 8, and 12 weeks after treatment began, clinical symptom score and pharyngeal inflammatory changes were recorded, and at the end of the treatment, all patients underwent endoscopy, and esophageal mucosal healing was observed. ResultsThere was no significant difference between the two groups of patients in terms of general data. After the treatment, the symptom scores were significantly decreased in the treatment group at the three observation points (P<0.05). The same situation happened also in the control group, but the difference was not significant (P>0.05). The symptom scores between the two groups after treatment were significantly different (P<0.5). And the effective rate for local pharyngeal infection was 83.9% and 41.4% in the treatment group and the control group respectively (P<0.05). ConclusionSome atypical GERDs feature by the symptoms of stubborn pharyngitis. Clinically, patients with long-term stubborn pharyngitis should be screened to exclude the possibility of GERD. esomeprazole therapy can significantly improve the pharyngitis symptoms and relieve local inflammation.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical effects of laparoscopic hiatus reconstruction with Bard Crurosoft patch associated with Nissen fundoplication in elderly patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). MethodsFrom July 2006 to July 2009, 22 consecutive elderly patients （≥65 years） with GERD underwent laparoscopic hiatus reconstruction associated with Nissen fundoplication， 10 of them underwent laparoscopic Crurosoft patch hiatus reconstruction (hiatus diameter≥5 cm in 2 patients， lt;5 cm in 8 patients) and 12 underwent laparoscopic simple sutured hiatus reconstruction (hiatus diameter≥5 cm in 2 patients， lt;5 cm in 10 patients). Intra and perioperative data including symptoms (heartburn, regurgitation, dysphagia, and respiratory complications), functional evaluations (esophagogastroscopy, manometric evaluations in lower esophageal segment, and 24 h pH-monitoring values) were compared and analyzed. ResultsPatients in 2 groups had similar preoperative values in demographics, symptom scores, functional evaluations, as well as operative data except for mean operative time. Three-month and 1-year follow-up after operation, the results of symptoms scores and functional evaluations of patients in 2 groups compared with preoperative values wear improved （Plt;0.05）, but symptoms scores and functional evaluations of patients in patch group were evaluated to demonstrate more significant improvement than suture group （Plt;0.05）. In suture group, the results of 3 months after operation were better than 1 year after operation, with statistically significant difference （Plt;0.05）. Two patients underwent postoperative intrathoracic immigration of wrap in suture group, but this complication did not happen in patch group （Plt;0.05）. ConclusionsLaparoscopic hiatus reconstruction with Bard Crurosoft patch associated with Nissen fundoplication is a safe and effective treatment for elderly patients(≥65 years) with GERD.
ObjectiveTo summarize the mechanism of effects of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and the research progress of LSG in combination with fundoplication on obesity with GERD. MethodThe literatures of studies relevant to relation between LSG and GERD and effect of LSG combined with fundoplication on obesity accompanying GERD at home and abroad were searched and reviewed. ResultsAlthough there was considerable disagreement over the effect of LSG on GERD, the evidence showed that the LSG alone might worsen the existing GERD or promote new GERD, which mainly due to the destruction of the lower esophageal sphincter, deactivation of His angle, elevated intragastric pressure, and shape of sleeve stomach. Currently, the LSG in combination with fundoplication had been gradually applied in the clinical treatment of obese patients with GERD. And the short-term results of follow-up showed that the effects of weight loss and anti-reflux could be obtained, which needed to be evaluated by more studies and longer follow-up. ConclusionsThere is a risk of worsening existing GERD or promoting new GERD after LSG surgery. The LSG in combination with fundoplication is safe and feasible, which not only makes up for the adverse effects of LSG only on GERD after surgery, but also achieves the same similar effect of weight loss as LSG, providing a new choice for obese patients with GERD.
Objective To evaluate the potential causal relationship between asthma and the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) using a two-sample Mendelian randomization study. Methods A large sample of genome-wide association study was used to summarize the data, and the genetic loci [single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)] closely related to asthma were selected as instrumental variables, and Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted by inverse variance weighting, weighted median and MR-Egger method, respectively. At the same time, the multi-effect of MR-Egger was detected and the sensitivity analysis was carried out by Leave-one-out method to ensure the robustness of the results. Results A total of 77 SNPs closely related to asthma were selected as instrumental variables. The results of inverse variance weighted analysis showed a significant positive correlation between asthma and the occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux disease [odds ratio (OR)=1.044, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.006, 1.083), P=0.024]. Weighted median results showed similar causality [OR=1.075, 95%CI (1.021, 1.133), P=0.006]. The MR-Egger regression results showed that there was a positive correlation between asthma and GERD, but there was no statistical significance [OR=1.080, 95%CI (0.983, 1.187), P=0.115]. The heterogeneity test results showed that there was no heterogeneity in the causal relationship between asthma and GERD (P>0.05). The results of the horizontal pleiotropy test showed that there was no horizontal pleiotropy in SNPs (P>0.05). The results of the retention test showed that no SNPs with significant impact on the results were detected. Conclusion There is a positive causal relationship between asthma and GERD.
ObjectivesTo systematically review the diagnostic value of GerdQ questionnaire for diagnosing the gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD).MethodsPubMed, Web of Science, EBMR, CNKI, CBM, VIP and WanFang Data databases were searched to collect studies on the diagnostic value the GerdQ questionnaire in diagnosing the GERD from inception to January 1st 2018. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Then meta-analysis was performed by using Meta-Disc 1.4 software. We used the Stata 12.0 software to assess the publication bias with funnel plots.ResultsA total of 20 studies were enrolled, including 7 978 patients. Among them, 4 848 patients were confirmed with GERD. The results of meta-analysis showed that: a) The pooled sensitivity, specificity, +LR, ?LR, and DOR were 0.79 (95%CI 0.78 to 0.81), 0.66 (95%CI 0.65 to 0.68), 2.28 (95%CI 1.77 to 2.94), 0.37 (95%CI 0.27 to 0.52) and 6.34 (95%CI 3.59, 11.19), SROC(AUC) was 0.789 3, and Q* was 0.726 6. b) When the cut-off was 7, the diagnostic accuracy of GerdQ questionnaire for the GERD was the highest, and that of 9 was the second. c) The diagnostic accuracy of GerdQ questionnaire was higher when it was used in China.ConclusionsGerdQ questionnaire has a moderate accuracy for the diagnosis of GERD, which can be a useful complementary tool for diagnosing GERD, and can be popularized in clinical settings. Due to limitation of quantity and quality of included studies, the above conclusions requires verification by more high quality studies.
ObjectiveTo explore clinical outcomes of complete mechanical cervical side-to-side esophago-gastric tube anastomosis. MethodsClinical data of 60 patients with esophageal carcinoma (EC)who underwent complete mechanical cervical side-to-side esophago-gastric tube anastomosis in the 153rd Central Hospital of People's Liberation Army from June 2010 to June 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 41 male and 19 female patients with their age of 46-78 (64.2±6.4)years and body weight of 58.6±12.6 kg. There were 39 patients with mid-thoracic EC, 15 patients with lower-thoracic EC, and 6 patients with upper-thoracic EC. There was 1 patient with stageⅠ EC, 32 patients with stage Ⅱ EC, 23 patients with stage Ⅲ EC, and 4 patients with stage Ⅳ EC. Six to 12 months after the operation, all the patients received a survey questionnaire regarding their quantity and quality of food intake as well as gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Fifty-two patients received barium swallow, and 38 patients received gastroscopy and esophageal mucosal biopsy during follow-up. ResultsAll the 60 patients were successfully discharged. Average length of hospital stay was 12.0±2.6 days. Average time for anastomosis was 18.4±3.2 minutes. The incidence of anastomotic leak was 1.7% (1/60). During follow-up, all the 60 patients restored normal food intake, and 14 patients (23.3%)had GER symptoms. Barium swallow showed the average anastomotic diameter of 1.6±0.2 cm (range, 1.2 to 2.2 cm). In 45° trendelenburg position, 31 patients (59.6%)had barium GER, but none of the patients had prolonged barium retention, intrathoracic gastric dilation or disturbed gastric emptying. Gastroscopy of 38 patients showed full anastomotic opening in 24 patients (63.2%)and irregular or semiclosed anastomosis in the other 14 patients (36.8%). Mucosal biopsy under gastroscopy showed chronic inflammation in 18.4% (7/38)patients. ConclusionComplete mechanical cervical side-to-side esophago-gastric tube anastomosis can significantly prevent anastomotic stenosis, leak and intrathoracic stomach symptoms with good clinical outcomes.
Objective To investigate the effect on motility function of remnant esophagus and intrathoracic stomach after esophagectomy for esophageal and cardiac carcinoma. Methods Thirty nine patients with esophageal and cardiac carcinoma were divided into two groups according to surgical procedure. Group of anastomosis above aortic arch （n = 21）： esophagogastrostomy was performed above the aortic arch in patients with esophageal carcinoma of the middle third; group of anastomosis below aortic arch（n= 18）： esophagogastrostomy was performed below the aortic arch in patients with esophageal carcinoma of the low third and cardiac carcinoma. Six health volunteers without gastroesophageal reflux were recruited as control group. Esophageal manometry and upper alimentary tract roentgenography were performed in all patients. Results There was a high pressure zone at the anastomotic orifice in parts of patients of both anastomosis groups. The resting pressure of remnant esophagus was higher than that in control group （P〈0. 05）, and similar to the resting pressure of intrathoracic stomach （P〉0. 05）. There was no significant difference in resting pressure of remnant esophagus and intrathoracic stomach between two anastomosis groups （P〉0.05）. The amplitude and number of primary peristalsis in remnant esophagus of group of anastomosis above aortic arch were significantly reduced in comparison with control group. The number of primary peristalsis in remnant esophagus of group of anastomosis above aortic arch was significantly lower than that of group of anastomosis below aortic arch （P〈0. 05）. The motility in the body of intrathoracic stomach was not observed. Weak motor activity of the gastric antrum was observed with upper alimentary tract roentgenography after surgery and evidently recovered 1 year after surgery. Conclusions The resting pressure of remnant esophagus and intrathoracic stomach is not influenced by the site of anastomosis. Esophagogastric anastomosis at the upper thorax is likely to result in poor motility of remnant esophagus. The motor activity of intrathoracic stomach becomes weak after esophagectomy and then recovers gradually over time, hut still fail to return to normal level.