Long-term efficacy of endoscopic radiofrequency Stretta therapy for patients with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease

Abstract

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when the reflux of stomach contents causes troublesome symptoms and/ or complications and is considered as a common gastrointestinal disease worldwide. Although the prevalence of GERD in Eastern Asia is relatively low compared to that in the United States and other countries, a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study reported that the mean estimates of age-standardized GERD prevalence in 2017 ranged from 4,408 to 14,035 per 100,000 population. 1 Acid suppression is a fundamental treatment strategy for GERD. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and potassium-competitive acid blockers are the mainstay medical treatments for GERD. However, a systematic review of observational studies revealed that 45.0% of patients with GERD in primary care or community-based studies had persistent reflux symptoms despite taking PPIs. 2 These patients are usually defined as those See "Endoscopic radiofrequency Stretta therapy reduces proton pump inhibitor dependency and the need for anti-reflux surgery for refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease" by