Improvement of clinical parameters in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease after radiofrequency energy delivery.

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.