Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: New evidence defining the pathology and pathogenesis of early GERD

Abstract

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common human disease. In the western world, it has a prevalence of 30% (1). In the Eastern world, the prevalence is lower, but shows signs of increase (1). The cause of GERD is conceptually simple; it results when the mechanism that normally prevents reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus fails. That mechanism is the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). In a patient with a competent LES, reflux does not occur.