Gastroenterology – GERD
1. What is GER?: - gastroesophageal reflux that is a normal physiologic occurrence
2. What is mild intermittent reflux?: - benign nuisance with mild reflux
3. What is GERD?: - chronic relapsing disease impacting quality of life with potentially serious complications
4. How is GERD classified?: - with or without erosive esophagitis
- LA grade A-D; Grades 1-3
- non-erosive reflux disease (NERD)
- laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR)
5. What is the MC type of GERD?: - non-erosive reflux disease (NERD)
6. What type of GERD is at highest risk for developing esophageal carcinoma?: -
pre-cancerous (Barrett's) esophagus
7. What type of treatment should always be recommended for GERD?: - therapeu-
tic-lifestyle changes SHOULD be recommended, as it can reduce the need for daily medications in selected patients
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,8. What can occur after stopping medication with GERD?: - near universal recurrence, as
healed esophageal erosions re-erode off PPI
9. What is the MC causative factor in GERD?: - transient relaxation of LES
10. What is a rare cause of GERD?: Zollinger Ellison syndrome (gastrinoma) with excess acid production
11. What anatomical area of the esophagus is affected in laryngeal-pharyngeal
reflux (LPR)?: - upper esophageal sphincter (UES)
12. Describe the pathophysiology of GERD.: Defect in movement of food and acid through upper
GI tract
1. defective esophageal clearance
2. LES dysfunction
3. hiatal hernia
4. increased intra-abdominal pressure
5. delayed gastric emptying
gastric contents remain in esophagus long enough to cause symptoms or injury
13. Do most patients with GERD have impaired peristalsis?: - about 1/5 of patients
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, 14. Do the majority of patients with esophagitis have a hiatal hernia?: - YES
15. Can a patient with a hiatal hernia be asymptomatic?: - YES
16. What are common symptoms of GERD?: - heartburn
- regurgitation ("waterbrash")
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1. What is GER?: - gastroesophageal reflux that is a normal physiologic occurrence
2. What is mild intermittent reflux?: - benign nuisance with mild reflux
3. What is GERD?: - chronic relapsing disease impacting quality of life with potentially serious complications
4. How is GERD classified?: - with or without erosive esophagitis
- LA grade A-D; Grades 1-3
- non-erosive reflux disease (NERD)
- laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR)
5. What is the MC type of GERD?: - non-erosive reflux disease (NERD)
6. What type of GERD is at highest risk for developing esophageal carcinoma?: -
pre-cancerous (Barrett's) esophagus
7. What type of treatment should always be recommended for GERD?: - therapeu-
tic-lifestyle changes SHOULD be recommended, as it can reduce the need for daily medications in selected patients
1/9
,8. What can occur after stopping medication with GERD?: - near universal recurrence, as
healed esophageal erosions re-erode off PPI
9. What is the MC causative factor in GERD?: - transient relaxation of LES
10. What is a rare cause of GERD?: Zollinger Ellison syndrome (gastrinoma) with excess acid production
11. What anatomical area of the esophagus is affected in laryngeal-pharyngeal
reflux (LPR)?: - upper esophageal sphincter (UES)
12. Describe the pathophysiology of GERD.: Defect in movement of food and acid through upper
GI tract
1. defective esophageal clearance
2. LES dysfunction
3. hiatal hernia
4. increased intra-abdominal pressure
5. delayed gastric emptying
gastric contents remain in esophagus long enough to cause symptoms or injury
13. Do most patients with GERD have impaired peristalsis?: - about 1/5 of patients
2/9
, 14. Do the majority of patients with esophagitis have a hiatal hernia?: - YES
15. Can a patient with a hiatal hernia be asymptomatic?: - YES
16. What are common symptoms of GERD?: - heartburn
- regurgitation ("waterbrash")
3/9
