The Efficacy of i-Scan for Detecting Reflux Esophagitis
Gastroesophageal Reflux DiseaseReflux EsophagitisEndoscopy is a widely used modality for the diagnosis and classification of Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and the extent of esophageal mucosal breaks on endoscopy can be assessed. However, there were some limitation in diagnosis of GERD using endoscopy More than half of patients with GERD reveal no visible abnormality on conventional endoscopy, it is possible that minute mucosal changes are underestimated by conventional endoscopy due to the limitation of visual ability In addition of uncertainty in detecting mucosal breaks, uncertainty in describing severity of mucosal injury can lead to inconsistency among interpreters. Interobserver agreement regarding diagnosis and classification of GERD using endoscopy is unsatisfactory to apply daily practice. Thus, the development of a new method to define the intra-esophageal injury for use in daily practice is a worthwhile endeavor and developed, such as narrow-band imaging (NBI), Fuji Intelligent Chromoen-doscopy (FICE) and i-scan. Among them, i-scan technology is the most recently developed image enhancing technology, which consists of three modes of image enhancement, i.e. surface enhancement (SE), contrast enhancement (CE), and tone enhancement (TE). Thus, the investigators examined the hypothesis that i-scan can improve the detection rate of reflux esophagitis and inter-observer agreement between endoscopists compared with conventional white light (WL) endoscopic examination.
Narrow Band Imaging Project on Barrett's Esophagus
Barrett's EsophagusGastroesophageal Reflux DiseaseNarrow Band Imaging(NBI) improves image contrast by allowing the blue light centered at 415 nanometers which is heavily absorbed by oxyhemoglobin to highlight the tissue's microvasculature and enhances detail on the surface of the mucosa revealing subtle changes. Barrett's esophagus(BE) has the mucosal and vessel changes during cancer transformation by angiogenesis. The ability of the NBI scope to visualize submucosal vessels forms the premise for the prediction of dysplasia in BE mucosa. NBI images of the BE mucosa obtained during endoscopy will be classified by academic endoscopists and community endoscopists initially. The endoscopists will then be asked to predict histopathology based on the NBI surface patterns. This clinical trial will evaluate the inter-observer agreement of a simple, consensus driven narrow band imaging (NBI) classification system of surface patterns and its ability to differentiate dysplastic versus non-dysplastic Barrett's esophagus(BE) in patients undergoing BE screening or surveillance in expert academic centers and in community GI practice as well. Their performance will be evaluated for accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of each pattern that is visualized on NBI.
Study Using Esomeprazole as a Diagnostic Test for GERD in Patients With NCCP
Gastroesophageal Reflux DiseaseGastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), with its cardinal symptom, heartburn, is the most common disorder of the esophagus in the West. Comparatively, GERD is less common in Singapore but its frequency in the population is increasing. Although the vast majority of patients with GERD have heartburn and acid regurgitation, GERD can present in atypical ways, including as a non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP). We have previously shown that GERD is a common cause of NCCP in Singapore. Up to 40% of our patients with NCCP had endoscopic esophagitis, abnormal 24-hour pH monitoring results, and/or a positive acid perfusion test. These tests, although diagnostic, are costly, labour intensive, and not always readily available in the primary care setting. A trial of high-dose proton pump inhibitor (e.g. omeprazole 60 mg daily) has been proposed as a simple, safe, non-invasive and reliable means to diagnose GERD in Western patients with NCCP. We have not used the test routinely in our practice. This study will evaluate the use of a short course of esomeprazole, the S-isomer of omeprazole, as a diagnostic test for detecting GERD in patients with NCCP. The hypothesis is that in NCCP patients with GERD, esomeprazole will resolve their symptoms. Consecutive patients diagnosed with NCCP at the National University Hospital, Singapore, will be invited to participate in the study. Eligible patients will be randomly assigned to receive either esomeprazole (40 mg o d) for 14 days, or comparable dose of placebo at a similar schedule for 14 days, in a double-blinded fashion. At the start of the study, all subjects will complete a baseline symptom assessment. Symptoms will be scored on a graded scale based on severity. During the study weeks, each patient will record his/her own daily symptoms. The patient will be assessed again after the 14-day treatment. The primary outcome measure will be the change in symptom score after initiation of treatment.
Feasibility of Placing Bravo PH Capsule in Proximal Esophagus
Gastroesophageal Reflux DiseaseAssessing the feasibility and patient tolerance to placement of Bravo PH capsule in proximal esophagus. There will be no difference in patient-perception of a proximally-placed Bravo esophageal pH monitor compared with a distal monitor.
Diagnosis of Acid Reflux Disease Using Novel Imaging: A Prospective Study
Non-erosive Reflux DiseaseGastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a common chronic disorder in the veteran population, is associated with drug costs exceeding $ 10 billion/year. Only 30-40% of patients with reflux symptoms have erosive esophagitis. The vast majority suffers from non erosive reflux disease (NERD), a condition in which standard endoscopy fails to identify any mucosal breaks and is unable to confirm the diagnosis. Unfortunately, a gold standard for the diagnosis of NERD does not exist. Narrow band imaging (NBI) utilizes spectral narrow band filters (incorporated into standard endoscopes) and helps to see abnormal areas not identified during standard endoscopy. Preliminary results have shown that NBI endoscopy may represent a significant improvement over standard endoscopy for the diagnosis of NERD. The purpose of this study is to accurately diagnosis non acid reflux disease by using a blue light (also known as NBI)upper endoscopy technique.
Dental Erosion in Patients With Gastro-oesophageal Reflux
Dental ErosionNot only caries but also exposure to acids can lead to loss of tooth structure. This acid-related tooth structure loss is defined as dental erosion. A relationship between dental erosion and occurence of reflux disease was shown in numerous studies. On the one hand, patients with dental erosions frequently show reflux disease. On the other hand, many - but not all - reflux patients show dental erosions. It is believed that certain salivary parameters might explain, why not all reflux patients alike are affected of dental erosions. The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship and the extent of occurrence of dental erosions and reflux symptoms, including investigation of certain salivary parameters.
Recovering Damaged Cells for Sequelae Caused by COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2
Sequelae of; InfectionPost Infection Glomerulonephritis18 morePost-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection can cause multiple system function disorders, and complicated symptoms last for an extended period. The virus can cause this continued infection, or the virus causes immune system function disorder and post-infectious autoimmune disease. The clinical symptoms can be smell loss, taste loss to liver function disorder, kidney function failure, different. No matter how complicated the systems showed in the clinic, all of the symptoms are due to the specific cells being damaged. Our clinical study is focused on recovering the damaged structure and function of the cells that could restore the organ function back to normal or close to normal
Do Patients Who Have Had Surgery for Achalasia Suffer From Reflux
RefluxPatients who have had laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of achalasia will be asked to have pH studies done in order to determine is these patients suffer from reflux after surgery.
Esophageal and Laryngeal Tissue Changes in Patients Suspected of Having Laryngopharyngeal Reflux...
Larynx DiseaseGastroesophageal RefluxThe purpose of the study is to determine whether patients with suspected Laryngopharyngeal reflux have inflammation and ultrastructural injury on their laryngeal biopsies.
Evaluation of Efficiency of Esophageal Capsule Endoscopy in the Screening of Patients With Gastroesophageal...
Gastroesophageal Reflux DiseaseDyspepsiaThe exploration of evocative symptoms of esophageal reflux disease or dyspepsia is based on a relatively invasive endoscopic examination, often badly tolerated, and which, in France, is carried out in 50% of the cases under general anaesthesia. The development of a Capsule Endoscopy, of single use, of esophageal exploration (PILLCAM OESO), could allow a painless exploration of the oesophagus, without infectious risk.The aim of this study is to validate the information provided by the Esophageal Capsule Endoscopy compared to upper endoscopy in the screening of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease or dyspepsia . For that these patients, after being informed and to have given their signed assent, will initially have an exploration by Esophageal Capsule Endoscopy and then, the very same day or within 3 days maximum, a upper endoscopy'. The information provided by the Esophageal Capsule Endoscopy then by the upper endoscopy will be analyzed by investigators different. This study should make it possible to evaluate the parameters of specificity, sensitivity and predictive values of Esophageal Capsule Endoscopy in this indication.