Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

1. Big picture

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders. The core problem is simple: gastric contents reflux upward into the esophagus and cause troublesome symptoms or complications. The examiner mainly wants you to recognize the typical symptom pattern, know when endoscopy is mandatory, understand the role of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), and avoid confusing GERD with cardiac chest pain, achalasia, malignancy, or functional heartburn. GERD is commonly defined clinically by recurrent heartburn/regurgitation, or objectively by reflux-related mucosal injury such as erosive esophagitis, stricture, or Barrett esophagus. ([American