In the Clinic: Gastroesophageal reflux disease
A recent article provided an overview of the diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, as well as information on improving practice.
An In the Clinic article published by Annals of Internal Medicine on Aug. 13 provided an overview of the diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), as well as information for practice improvement. The article notes that GERD can include typical symptoms of esophageal reflux (heartburn and/or regurgitation); esophageal injury (erosive esophagitis; stricture; Barrett's esophagus; and, rarely, adenocarcinoma); and extraesophageal symptoms, such as hoarseness and chronic cough. Proper diagnosis and treatment of GERD involve controlling symptoms, excluding other disorders, avoiding overuse of medications and invasive testing, and minimizing complications, the article said.
The editors of Annals develop In the Clinic with the assistance of additional physician writers, MKSAP, and other resources of ACP.