The Predictive Value of Symptoms in Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease

Abstract

Background: Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) must be distinguished from functional dyspepsia and peptic ulcer disease because, albeit similar symptomatology, they are different diseases with greatly differing pathogenesis and treatment. Methods: A new endoscopic grading of reflux oesophagitis was applied in two large prospective studies. Results: High consistency of endoscopic findings and low predictive value of symptoms. Conclusions: The low predictive value of symptoms stresses the importance of applying solid endoscopic criteria in the assessment of GORD.

Key Words:

• Dyspepsia
• endoscopy
• gastro-oesophageal reflux
• reflux oesophagitis