Gastroesophageal reflux disease and Barrett's esophagus: Epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment

The advances presented in Digestive Disease Week 2010 on gastroesophageal reflux disease are of special practical importance. The 5-year results of a randomized, multicenter trial -the LOTUS trial- show that proton pump inhibitors are superior to surgery in the treatment of patients with reflux. In addition, new studies have rescued hygienic-dietary measures from oblivion in the treatment of reflux, showing that weight loss and smoking cessation spectacularly improve symptoms. In Barrett's esophagus, the short-term efficacy of radiofrequency in patients with dysplasia has been confirmed and highly encouraging data on the long-term efficacy of this treatment modality have begun to appear. © 2011 Elsevier España S.L.