Brief Article
Copyright ©2011 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Oct 21, 2011; 17(39): 4429-4433
Published online Oct 21, 2011. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i39.4429
Improvement of clinical parameters in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease after radiofrequency energy delivery
Hai-Feng Liu, Jian-Guo Zhang, Jun Li, Xiao-Guang Chen, Wei-An Wang
Hai-Feng Liu, Jian-Guo Zhang, Jun Li, Xiao-Guang Chen, Wei-An Wang, Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Chinese People’s Armed Police Forces, Beijing 100039, China
Author contributions: Liu HF, Zhang JG, Li J, Chen XG and Wang WA performed the experiments. Liu HF designed the study and wrote the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Hai-Feng Liu, Professor, Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Chinese People’s Armed Police Forces, Beijing 100039, China. haifengliu333@163.com
Telephone: +86-10-57976547 Fax: +86-10-57976168
Received: March 20, 2011
Revised: August 11, 2011
Accepted: August 18, 2011
Published online: October 21, 2011
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of Stretta procedure with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) based on symptom control, medication changes and oesophagitis grade.

METHODS: Ninety patients with a history of GERD underwent Stretta procedure from June 2007 to March 2010. All patients with GERD diagnosed by the presence of endoscopically evidenced oesophagitis or abnormal esophageal pH testing. We evaluated GERD-health-related quality of life, satisfaction, medication use and endoscopy at baseline, 6, 12 mo after treatment. Complications of the procedure were analyzed.

RESULTS: We found that patients experienced significant changes in symptoms of GERD after Stretta procedure. The onset of GERD symptom relief was less than 2 mo (70.0%) or 2 to 6 mo (16.7%). The mean GERD-HRQL score was 25.6 (baseline), 7.3 (6 mo, P < 0.01), and 8.1 (12 mo, P < 0.01).The mean heartburn score was 3.3 (baseline), and 1.2 (12 mo, P < 0.05). The percentage of patients with satisfactory GERD control improved from 31.1% at baseline to 86.7% after treatment, and patient satisfaction improved from 1.4 at baseline to 4.0 at 12 mo (P < 0.01). Medication usage decreased significantly from 100% of patients on proton pump inhibitors therapy at baseline to 76.7% of patients showing elimination of medications or only as needed use of antacids/H2-RA at 12 mo. An improvement in endoscopic grade of oesophagitis was seen in 33 of the 41 patients. All patients had either no erosions or only mild erosive disease (grade A) at 6 mo.

CONCLUSION: The experience with Stretta procedure confirms that it is well tolerated, safe, effective and durable in the treatment of GERD. The Stretta procedure provides the drug-refractory patients with a new minimally invasive method.

Keywords: Gastroesophageal reflux disease; Clinical parameters; Stretta procedure; Radiofrequency