OBJECTIVES To ascertain the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and its association with the disease. DESIGN Systematic review of studies reporting the prevalence of H pylori in patients with and without gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. DATA SOURCES Four electronic databases, searched to November 2001, experts, pharmaceutical companies, and...

BACKGROUND The role of the crural diaphragm during increased intra-abdominal pressure is not exactly known. We investigated the hypothesis that the crural diaphragm undergoes reflex phasic contraction on elevation of the intra-abdominal pressure with a resulting increase of the lower esophageal pressure and prevention of gastro-esophageal reflux. METHODS The esophageal pressure and crural dia...

Background: Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is believed to be a common cause of chronic cough. There paucity data on GERD-related cough (GERC) from Singapore. Our aim was examine the prevalence, demographics and clinical features GERC patients seen in large teaching hospital Singapore.Methods: We did retrospective review referred respiratory clinic for evaluation (≥ 6 weeks duration). A...

Abstract Background The esophagus involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is very common yet underestimated due to the lack of suitable screening tools. This study aims explore usefulness ultrasound (US) assessment and identify its relationship with clinical CT manifestations. Methods We performed transabdominal esophageal US 38 SSc patients controls. parameters including abdominal length, wall...

Background. The role of the crural diaphragm during increased intra-abdominal pressure is not exactly known. We investigated the hypothesis that the crural diaphragm undergoes reflex phasic contraction on elevation of the intra-abdominal pressure with a resulting increase of the lower esophageal pressure and prevention of gastro-esophageal reflux. Methods. The esophageal pressure and crural dia...

OBJECTIVE To review the long-term results of redo gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) surgery with special emphasis on residual acid-suppressing medications, pH monitoring results, and quality of life. METHODS Retrospective analysis of 52 patients (24 males) who underwent redo GERD surgery between 1986 and 2006 through a transthoracic (n=14), or a transabdominal (n=38) approach. Indicatio...

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease is a troublesome disease for many patients, severely affecting their quality of life. Choice of treatment depends on a combination of patient characteristics and preferences, esophageal motility and damage of reflux, symptom severity and symptom correlation to acid reflux and physician preferences. Success of treatment depends on tailoring treatment modalities t...

BACKGROUND The cause of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) remains unknown, yet gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is highly prevalent in this population. GERD prevalence was studied, and esophageal function tests (EFT) were assessed in Chinese IPF patients. METHODS We prospectively studied 69 IPF patients who undertook both stationary High Resolution esophageal Manometry/Impedance (HRi...