GERD, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a painful digestive condition that affects millions of Americans every single day, estimated at 4% of the population.  There are two well known and common treatments used for this condition: medication or surgery.  But until this comparative study, it was unknown which treatment patients could benefit from more.

These new reports were compiled into a comprehensive report for AHRQs Effective Heath Care program by the Tufts Medical Center Evidence-based Practice Center.  The report was able to conclude that medications are effective in treating GERD and improving the quality of life.  It also showed that undergoing a laparoscopic fundoplication procedure is just as effective as drug based treatments, but there is an increased risk for serious complications and effects.

The study did not look at the endoscopic variation of fundoplication as the AHRQ study found that there was not enough evidence available to compare this procedure’s effectiveness with the other treatments available.

GERD is most commonly referred to as acid reflux disease.  When one suffers from acid reflux disease, the contents of their stomach will back up into the esophagus, causing the stomach acid to them irritate the esophagus and cause a burning sensation (heartburn).  Many individuals who have this condition will also develop Barrett’s esophagus, which occurs when the lining of the esophagus becomes permanently damaged by the stomach acid.  Not only is it extremely uncomfortable and even painful for most, but it can also heighten one’s risk for developing cancer of the esophagus.

In the United States alone, those who suffer from GERD spend a lot of money on treatment.  Over three thousand dollar a year is spent on prescription antireflux drugs, particularly proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).  Unfortunately it has also been found that a lot of medications that treat GERD, like PPIs, are overused.  Medications are effective for treatment, and PPIs tend to be more effective than most, but the inconsistencies between PPI types of dosages makes it hard to say just how effective this form of treatment is.  Professionals are also not entirely sure how to best treat GERD with other medications.  The side effects reports from taking such medications however are non-threatening.  Some of the side effects mentioned by some patients using such treatments include diarrhea and headaches.

Surgery is an option for those with GERD.  This surgery, called fundoplication, involves having the upper section of the stomach wrapped up and sewn around the esophagus to help prevent the stomach acid from rising up into the esophagus.  Though this will help decrease one’s use of the antireflux drugs, it will not eliminate the need for them entirely.  It was found that one’s quality of life was improved with the surgery, but there is an increased risk of severe side effects that come with the surgery, such as difficulty with swallowing, post meal bloating, and postoperative infections.

Though there may not be one treatment type that will fully eliminate GERD, the one type of “treatment” that this report did not explore but has proven effective was whether or not changing one’s diet could lessen or eliminate the need for medication and surgery.