Understanding GORD: Definition, diagnosis and clinical evaluation - A critical appraisal
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2001
Abstract
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a common disease which affects a significant proportion of the adult population and impacts adversely of the quality of life of patients. In a small proportion of patients, GORD result in serious complications. The full spectrum of GORD must be recognized:reflux oesophagitis or erosive GORD, non-erosive oesophageal disease (NERD) and extra-disease including chronic asthma, laryngitis, unexplained chronic cough and non-cardiac chest pains. Although traditionally, GORD is diagnosed based on the findings of classical oesophagitis on endoscopy, it has to be emphasized that a larger proportion of patients have NERD, where the diagnosis sis made based solely on patients' symptoms. Endoscopy is important in the diagnosis of oesophagitis and its complications. However, the description of endoscopic finding should be clear and based on a standard classification such that reports can be mutually interpreted between endoscopists. The L.A. classification is currently, the best method of grading of oesophagitis in GORD.
Keywords
GORD, diagnosis, clinical evaluation
Divisions
fac_med
Publication Title
Journal of the University of Malaya Medical Centre (JUMMEC)
Volume
6
Issue
1
Publisher
Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya