Pharmacological management of gastro-esophageal reflux disease: state of the art in 2024.

INTRODUCTION: Gastroesophagealreflux disease (GERD) is a chronic disease of the esophagus characterized bythe regurgitation of stomach contents into the esophagus causing troublesomesymptoms and/or complications. Among patients with GERD, around 30% of patientshave visible mucosal damage, while 70% have a normal esophageal mucosa. Accordingly,the optimal pharmacological treatment of GERD should address different diseasemanifestations, including symptoms, the mucosal damage when present, and possiblechronic complications, including strictures, Barrett's esophagus, andesophageal adenocarcinoma. AREASCOVERED: Available medicaltreatments for GERD include proton pump inhibitors (PPIs),potassium-competitive acid blockers (PCABs), histamine receptor antagonists (H2-RAs),prokinetics, and mucosal protectants such as alginates, hyaluronicacid/chondroitin-sulfate, and poliprotect. Each compound has its ownadvantages and disadvantages, and knowledge of expected benefits and tips fortheir use are paramount for the success of treatment. In addition, theappropriateness of indications for initiating treatment is also crucial toachieve positive results when managing GERD patients. EXPERTOPINION: PPIs,PCABs, H2-RAs, prokinetics, and mucosal protectants can all be used in patientswith GERD, but careful assessment of patients' characteristics as well asadvantages and disadvantages of each therapeutic compound is essential toensure successful treatment of GERD.

Experimental drugs for erosive esophagitis: what is in the clinical development pipeline?

INTRODUCTION: Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) has revolutionized the treatment of erosive esophagitis (EE) in the past few decades. However, roughly 30-40% of the patients, especially those with severe EE (Los Angeles Grade C/D), remain poorly responsive to this medication. Novel drugs have been formulated and/or repurposed to address this problem. AREAS COVERED: This review highlights novel drugs that have been investigated for use in EE, such as mucosal protectants, prokinetics, transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (TLESR) reducers, novel PPIs, and the new potassium-competitive acid blocker (PCAB). Studies have demonstrated that PCAB has promising results (efficacy and safety) compared to PPI for the healing of EE, especially in severe diseases. EXPERT OPINION: PCAB has gained interest in recent years, with pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics properties surpassing PPI. Although recent data on PCABs, which comprised mainly of Vonoprazan, have shown promising results, more randomized controlled trials for other PCAB drugs are needed to elucidate and confirm the superiority of this drug class to PPI, the current first-line treatment of EE.

Patient journey in gastroesophageal reflux disease: real-world perspectives from Italian gastroenterologists, primary care physicians, and ENT specialists.

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a challenging condition that involves different physicians, such as general practitioners (GPs), gastroenterologists, and ears, nose and throat (ENT) specialists. A common approach consists of proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) administration. Adjunctive pharmacological treatment may have a role in the management of non-responders to PPIs. Objectives: We aimed to survey GPs and different medical specialists to investigate the medical approaches to patients reporting GERD symptoms. In addition, we examined the use of adjunctive pharmacological treatments in patients with GERD symptoms who do not respond to PPIs. Design: Retrospective observational study. Methods: A survey was conducted among a large sample of gastroenterologists, GPs, and ENT specialists. Symptoms were divided into typical and extraesophageal, and their severity and impact on quality of life were explored with the GERD Impact Scale and with Reflux Symptom Index (RSI). All therapies administered usually for GERD were investigated. Results: A total of 6211 patients were analyzed in this survey. Patients with typical symptoms were 53.5%, while those with extraesophageal symptoms were 46.5%. The latter were more frequently reported by ENT patients (53.6%, p < 0.0001). The GSI was higher in patients followed by gastroenterologists (9 points) and GPs (9 points) than ENT specialists (8 points), but the RSI was higher in the ENT group (14.3 ± 6.93) than in GPs and gastroenterologist groups (10.36 ± 6.36 and 10.81 ± 7.30, p < 0.0001). Chest pain had the highest negative impact on quality of life (p < 0.0001). Of the 3025 patients who used PPIs, non-responders showed a lower GSI when treated with a combination of adjunctive pharmacological treatments and bioadhesive compounds, than with single-component drugs. Conclusion: Patients with GERD referred to a gastroenterologist had more severe disease and poorer quality of life. The combination of adjunctive pharmacological treatments and bioadhesive compounds seems to be effective in the management of PPI refractory patients.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease management: real-world perspectives from Italian gastroenterologists, primary care physicians and ENT specialists Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a prevalent and chronic condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide, causing significant discomfort and impacting their overall quality of life. In the comprehensive management of GERD, a collaborative approach involving different physicians is essential to address the various aspects of this complex condition. Given the wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities in clinical practice, we aimed to investigate how GERD is managed in clinical practice by general practitioners and different medical specialists, including gastroenterologists and ears, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists. A total of 6,211 observations were carried out from a survey. The severity and impact of GERD on quality-of-life was higher in patients followed by gastroenterologists and general practitioners than ENT specialists. Non-cardiac chest pain had the highest negative impact on quality-of-life. Of the 3,025 patients who used PPIs, non-responders showed an improved quality of life when treated with a combination of adjunctive pharmacological treatments and bio adhesive compounds.

Prevention and management of antineoplastic therapy induced oral mucositis.

With the scientific advancements in the management of malignant diseases, the treatment is expensive and bears high morbidity in term of oral mucositis. It is a debilitating condition and has been researched extensively for its pathogenesis and treatment. Various treatment options include barrier forming, mucosal protectants, mouth rinses, growth factors, lasers and midline-sparing procedures. Some agents are used locally while others are administered systemically. Despite the availability of a wide range of treatment options for mucositis, a cost-effective treatment is yet to be evolved.

Clinical management of infants and children with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Gastroesophageal reflux refers to the passage of gastric contents including food, acid, and digestive enzymes up into the esophagus. Reflux is most commonly recognized in infants when it is associated with regurgitation, known as "spitting up," and it is usually a self-limited, benign process that has little or no effect on normal weight gain or development. Adults and adolescents may also have reflux, which is usually either asymptomatic or recognized as dyspepsia or "heartburn." Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is defined as symptoms or complications that result from reflux. Most evidence suggests the mechanism of reflux is due to transient relaxations of the lower esophageal sphincter at inappropriate times. The diagnosis of suspected GERD in infants and children depends on the age and the presenting symptoms. A thorough history, physical examination, and growth charts are sufficient for the evaluation and diagnosis of GERD in most infants with recurrent vomiting or children with regurgitation and heartburn. Additional evaluation may include an upper gastrointestinal series, esophageal pH monitoring, or endoscopy. The goals of GERD management are eliminating symptoms, healing esophagitis, preventing complications, promoting normal weight gain and growth, and maintaining remission. Therapeutic options include lifestyle changes, pharmacologic therapy, and anti-reflux surgery. Currently available pharmacologic agents for the treatment of GERD include antacids, mucosal protectants, prokinetic agents, and acid suppressants.