Long-Term Results of Radiofrequency Energy Delivery for the Treatment of GERD: Results of a Prospective 48-Month Study.

Since 2000, radiofrequency (RF) energy treatment has been increasingly offered as an alternative option to invasive surgical procedures for selected patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Out of 69 patients treated since June 2002 to December 2007 with the Stretta procedure, 56 of them reached by the end of 2010 a 48-month followup. RF treatment significantly improved heartburn scores, GERD-specific quality of life scores, and general quality of life scores at 24 and 48 months in 52 out of 56 patients (92,8%).

Education improves colonoscopy appropriateness.

Background: Appropriateness in GI endoscopy is critical to face the rising amount of demands. Education of physicians has been advocated to reduce the level of inappropriateness.

Objective: Our purpose was to assess the effectiveness of an educational program in determining a reduction of inappropriate colonoscopies in an open access system.

Effects of symbiotic preparations on constipated irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.

Background: Prebiotic and probiotic therapies are new strategies that are being used to treat different gastrointestinal diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome, diverticular disease and inflammatory bowel diseases.

Aims: Evaluating the effects of a symbiotic preparation on symptoms and colonic transit in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and significant bloating.

Methods: We carried out an open-label, prospective, uncontrolled, multicenter trial on 129 patients meeting Rome II criteria for irritable bowel syndrome who did not have lactose malabsorption, abdominal surgery, overt psychiatric disorders and ongoing psychotropic drug therapy or ethanol abuse.

Water load test before and after PPI therapy in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

Background: Patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease may complain of epigastric pain, bloating, early satiety, epigastric fullness, epigastric burning, nausea and vomiting.

Aims: To evaluate the symptoms in response to gastric distension and its relationship to a therapeutic course in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease using the water load test, compared to healthy controls.

Methods: Thirty gastro-oesophageal reflux disease patients with grade A oesophagitis (studied before and after 4 weeks of therapy with esomeprazole, 40 mg per day) and 15 patients with reflux-related symptoms demonstrated at wireless pH monitoring (non-erosive reflux disease) were compared to 30 healthy volunteers.

The diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is known to cause erosive esophagitis, Barrett esophagus and has been linked to the development of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Currently, endoscopy is the main clinical tool for visualizing esophageal lesions, but the majority of GERD patients do not have endoscopic visible lesions and other methods are required. Ambulatory esophageal pH monitoring is the gold standard in diagnosing GERD, since it measures distal esophageal acid exposure and demonstrates the relationship between symptoms and acid reflux.