Gastroesophageal reflux disease: basic principles of treatment

Abstract

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), characterized mainly by symptoms of heartburn and/or regurgitation, is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases, which is usually treated by gastroenterologists and primary care physicians. Almost all countries have seen an increase in the prevalence of GERD, especially in North America, East Asia, and European countries, including Russia. Every 5 years, the incidence of GERD increases by 1.5-2%. Thus, according to forecasts, by 2030, 80% of the population in the United States will suffer from GERD. A review of foreign and domestic literature showed that the prevalence of GERD ranges from 1,000 to 1,000 in East Asia, North America, and European countries to 1,000. The reasons for the increase in its frequency include: physical inactivity, smoking, genetic predisposition, changes in the structure and quality of nutrition, and an increased body mass index. Approximately 80% of patients with GERD undergo conservative treatment, among which the leading place belongs to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), about 10% of patients undergo surgical treatment. In addition, in the last decade, there have been significant changes in approaches to the treatment of GERD, an increase in the number of reports of adverse events associated with long-term use of PPIs, a noticeable decrease in the use of surgical fundoplication, and an increase in the development of non-drug intraluminal endoscopic techniques.