Perspectives

Know Your Guidelines Series: The ACG Clinical Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Review

Authors: Melissa A. Barnhart, MD, Mary L. Thomas, MD, MPH, Alana J. Schilthuis, MD, Christopher D. Jackson, MD

Abstract

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. It accounts for 17.5% of all digestive diseases in the ambulatory setting,1 with prevalence in North America of 8.8% to 25.9%.2 The direct and indirect healthcare costs of GERD total $9.3 billion annually in the United States.3 The American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) has published guidelines regarding diagnosing and managing GERD.4 The ACG sought to update evidence-based recommendations given the increased scrutiny of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and advances in pharmacologic, lifestyle, surgical and endoscopic management of this disease. This perspective highlights five key points for primary care providers to consider when diagnosing and managing GERD based on the recent guideline published by the ACG. We chose these key points given their relevance to this condition in the primary care setting.
Posted in: Gastroenterology57

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