Gastro-Oesophageal reflux in the elderly: role of drug therapy in management.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is common in the elderly. The presenting symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation, so common in the young, are less frequent in the elderly. Common symptoms of GORD in the elderly are dysphagia, vomiting and respiratory problems. Because of the higher risk of associated pathological oesophageal lesions in the older person presenting with symptoms suggestive of GORD, oesophagogastroduodenoscopy must be performed earlier in their clinical course. There is only a poor correlation between the severity of the symptoms and the severity of the associated oesophagitis. Whereas lifestyle modifications are important in individuals with GORD, the use of proton pump inhibitors is recommended to heal the underlying pathology, to resolve the patient's symptoms, to prevent complications, and to improve the quality of life.