The role of screening of patients proved to have gastroesophageal reflux disease by upper gastrointestinal endoscope for early detection of interstitial lung diseases

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a frequent digestive illness in North America, causing symptoms and complications. It affects 18.1–27.28% of people and is associated with decreased quality of life. Treatment improves quality of life, but treatment costs are higher. The study aims to assess the role of screening of patients proven to have GERD by upper gastrointestinal endoscope for early detection of interstitial lung diseases. This research was cross-sectional research. The study will be conducted at the Chest Diseases Department of Ain Shams University hospitals. This prospective cross-sectional research will be performed on 90 randomly selected cases diagnosed with GERD by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. For 1 year. The findings of chest HRCT for enrolled patients are 15 patients (16.7%) showed positive CT findings suggestive of interstitial lung disease, whereas 75 patients (83.3%) had normal CT scans. The most common CT finding was atelectasis reported in nine patients (10%). a statistically significant correlation between age and fibrosis and reticular infiltration, female gender, and reticular infiltration. no statistically significant association between CT findings and each of the chest symptoms and GERD symptoms. CT chest screen of patients diagnosed with GERD by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy plays a favorable role in the early detection of ILD to help in early management and treatment them. In patients diagnosed with GERD by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, we revealed that: reticular infiltration is more prevalent in female gender. Reticular infiltration and fibrosis increase with older age. Reticular infiltration and atelectasis increase in patients who have a hiatus hernia. Cough, dyspnea, and wheezes increase in older age.