[Extra-esophageal manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease in adults].

In adults, several extra-digestive manifestations (cough, asthma, angina-like chest pain, ENT symptoms, dental erosions and even sleep disturbances) may be due to gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). In some cases, symptoms are triggered by an oesophageal reflex vagally mediated, while other symptoms are mainly related to the irritant effect of the refluxed material. The link with GORD is often difficult to establish because of the lack of typical digestive symptoms of GORD and of erosive oesophagitis in most of the cases. An empirical trial of double dose PPI therapy for 2 to 3 months can be done as the initial step in the diagnosis and treatment while oesophageal 24-hour pH monitoring is recommended by others to establish a temporal relationship between symptoms and reflux events. The optimal management algorithm remains to be determined. In some case, oesophageal luminal impedance monitoring could be useful to demonstrate a link between symptoms and a non-acid GORD. Traditionally, management of extra-oesophageal GORD manifestations relies on prolonged high doses of PPIs but the symptomatic efficacy of such treatment has been discussed recently. In case of adequate response, treatment can be tapered down to determine the minimal required maintenance dose. Anti-reflux surgery could be an alternative in some cases.