Do not repeat esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) in patients diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), unless the examination is part of the follow-up of precancerous epithelial conditions (Barrett’s esophagus) or in the event of new alarm symptoms.

Oct 17, 2018

Do not repeat esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) in patients diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), unless the examination is part of the follow-up of precancerous epithelial conditions (Barrett’s esophagus) or in the event of new alarm symptoms.

Type of practice

Other tests

Age

Adult, Geriatric

Topic Area

Gastroenterology

Endoscopy in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) should be reserved for patients who do not respond to an 8-week course of empirical therapy with proton pump inhibitors, for patients with extraesophageal symptoms that do not respond to therapy, for those presenting with alarm symptoms such as dysphagia, weight loss, or gastrointestinal bleeding, or for patients with multiple risk factors for Barrett’s esophagus. Follow-up is also indicated in patients after treatment for severe esophagitis (Los Angeles grades C and D). In these patients, EGD is indicated because inflammation may mask the presence of underlying Barrett’s esophagus.

Sources

1. Katz PO, Dunbar KB, Schnoll-Sussman FH, et al. ACG Clinical Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Am J Gastroenterol 2022;117:27-56. doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001538.
2. Wauters L, Dickman R, Drug V, et al. United European Gastroenterology (UEG) and European Society for Neurogastroenterology and Motility (ESNM) consensus on functional dyspepsia. United European Gastroenterol J 2021;9:307-331. doi: 10.1002/ueg2.12061.
3. Rodríguez-de-Santiago E, Frazzoni L, Fuccio L, et al. Digestive findings do not require endoscopic surveillance – Reducing the burden of care: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Position Statement. Endoscopy 2020;52:491-497. doi: 10.1055/a-1137-4721.
4. Frazzoni L, Fuccio L, Zagari RM. Management of gastro-esophageal reflux disease: Practice-oriented answers to clinical questions. World J Gastroenterol 2023;29:773-779. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i5.773.

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Attention. Please note that these items are provided only for information and are not intended as a substitute for consultation with a clinician. Patients with any specific questions about the items on this list or their individual situation should consult their clinician.