BACKGROUND: Although laparoscopic fundoplication effectively alleviates gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in the great majority of patients, some patients remain dissatisfied after the operation. This study was undertaken to report the outcomes of these patients and to determine the causes of dissatisfaction after laparoscopic fundoplication. METHODS: All patients undergoing laparoscopic fundoplication in the authors’ series from… Read more »
Use of acid-suppressive drugs and risk of fracture: a meta-analysis of observational studies
PURPOSE: Previous studies have reported inconsistent findings regarding the association between the use of acid-suppressive drugs such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine 2 receptor antagonists (H(2)RAs) and fracture risk. We investigated this association using meta-analysis. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library from inception through December 2010 using common key… Read more »
Safety of proton pump inhibitor exposure
Abstract: Proton pump (H(+)/K(+)-adenosine triphosphatase) inhibitors (PPIs) are widely used to treat patients with acid-related disorders because they are generally perceived to be safe and effective. However, as with any pharmacologic agent, they have the potential for side effects. Many studies have examined the side effects of long-term or short-term PPI exposure. We review the… Read more »
Use of proton pump inhibitors and risk of osteoporosis-related fractures
BACKGROUND: The use of proton pump inhibitors has been associated with an increased risk of hip fracture. We sought to further explore the relation between duration of exposure to proton pump inhibitors and osteoporosis-related fractures. METHODS: We used administrative claims data to identify patients with a fracture of the hip, vertebra or wrist between April… Read more »
Cost of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease to the employer: a perspective from the United States
BACKGROUND: Employers pay more than just salary for their employees. Previous studies have largely focused on direct medical and prescription drug costs of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and few have reported on total absenteeism costs. AIMS: To examine the annual cost of illness of GERD in an employed US population by benefit category and by… Read more »
Long-term proton pump inhibitor therapy and risk of hip fracture
CONTEXT: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may interfere with calcium absorption through induction of hypochlorhydria but they also may reduce bone resorption through inhibition of osteoclastic vacuolar proton pumps. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between PPI therapy and risk of hip fracture. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: A nested case-control study was conducted using the General Practice… Read more »
Concepts in the prevention of adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus and proximal stomach
Abstract For decades, the incidence rates for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus and adenocarcinoma of the distal stomach have been declining while the rates for adenocarcinomas of the esophagus and gastric cardia have increased profoundly. Recent studies have shown that the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) is regularly exposed to concentrated gastric acid and to a… Read more »
Updated guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease
Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were published in 1995 and updated in 1999. These and other guidelines undergo periodic review. Advances continue to be made in the area of GERD, leading us to review and revise previous guideline statements. GERD is defined as symptoms or mucosal damage produced by… Read more »