Esophageal complications of gastroesophageal reflux disease: presentation, diagnosis, management, and outcomes.

The esophageal complications of gastroesophageal reflux disease include peptic esophageal erosion and ulceration, peptic esophageal strictures, and Barrett's esophagus. Endoscopy is the diagnostic procedure of choice for the initial evaluation of lesions. For most patients, symptoms can be controlled with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. PPIs are also highly effective for healing esophageal erosions and ulcerations and for preventing recurrence of peptic esophageal strictures. Because Barrett's esophagus predisposes individuals to esophageal adenocarcinoma, these patients are advised to have regular endoscopic surveillance to detect early, curable neoplasms.