Endoscopic observations around the gastroesophageal junction in patients with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease in South Asia.

INTRODUCTION We studied the inter-relationships of endoscopic findings around the gastroesophageal junction in patients with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux. METHODS Data were collected with regard to hiatus hernia (HH), columnar-lined esophagus (CLE), reflux esophagitis (RE) and gastroesophageal flap valve (GEFV), prospectively from 1,150 patients who underwent diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux. RESULTS The frequency of HH, CLE and RE was 14.3% (n=165), 9.5% (n=109) and 13.3% (n=153), respectively. In the CLE group, 48 were histologically proven to have Barrett's esophagus. Of all RE patients, 94.8% had mild esophagitis (LA-A and B) and this was associated with younger age, male gender, presence of HH, and grade 3 or 4 gastroesophageal flap valve (GEFV). Grades 3 and 4 GEFV were associated with HH, CLE, and RE. CONCLUSIONS Substantial proportion of patients with symptoms of GERD has abnormal endoscopic findings around the gastroesophageal junction.