Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common, usually lifelong, disorder resulting from chronic abnormal exposure of the lower esophagus to gastric contents. Motor dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter is the primary cause of this disease. At this writing, no medical therapies can completely resolve abnormal lower esophageal sphincter function; therefore, the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease centers on suppression of intragastric acid secretion. Available acid-suppressant medications include proton pump inhibitors, H2-receptor antagonists, and antacids. Of these, the proton pump inhibitors are recognized generally as the mainstays of both short-term and long-term therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease. All have a low incidence of side effects and are well tolerated by most patients. Five proton pump inhibitors are available currently for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Of these, esomeprazole has shown greater efficacy in controlling intragastric acidity than the others. For patients with erosive esophagitis, esomeprazole has demonstrated higher healing rates and more rapid sustained resolution of heartburn than omeprazole or lansoprazole after up to 8 weeks of once-daily treatment. Because new therapies for gastroesophageal reflux disease are highly effective, patients can be reassured that their disease will be well controlled and their symptoms resolved with a safe and appropriate treatment.