Pathophysiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease-which factors are important?

Background: Pathophysiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) shows a multifactorial background. Different anatomical and functional alterations can be determined such as weakness of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), changes in anatomy by a hiatal hernia (HH), an impaired esophageal motility (IEM), and/or an associated gastric motility problem with either duodeno-gastro-esophageal reflux (DGER) or delayed gastric emptying (DGE). The purpose of this study is to assess a large GERD-patient population to quantitatively determine different pathophysiologic factors contributing to the disease.

Methods: For this analysis only patients with documented GERD (pathologic esophageal acid exposure) were selected from a prospectively maintained databank. Investigations: history and physical, body mass index, endoscopy, esophageal manometry, 24 h-pH-monitoring, 24 h-bilirbine-monitoring, radiographic-gastric-emptying or scintigraphy, gastrointestinal quality of life index (GIQLI).

Results: In total, 728 patients (420 males; 308 females) were selected for this analysis. Mean age: 49.9 years; mean BMI: 27.2 kg/m² (range, 20-45 kg/m²); mean GIQLI of 91 (range: 43-138; normal level: 121); no esophagitis: 30.6%; minor esophagitis (Savary-Miller type 1 or Los Angeles Grade A): 22.4%; esophagitis [2-4]/B-D: 36.2%; Barrett's esophagus 10%. Presence of pathophysiologic factors: HH 95.4%; LES-incompetence 88%, DGER 55%, obesity 25.6%, IEM 8.8%, DGE 6.8%.

Conclusions: In our evaluation of GERD patients, the most important pathophysiologic components are anatomical alterations (HH), LES-incompetence and DGER.