Prospects for sonographic transabdominal diagnostics of comorbid gastroesophageal reflux disease at the outpatient stage

Background. The global spread of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) necessitates its early diagnosis with available non-invasive techniques adapted to the primary stage of health care. A modified method of transendoscopic ultrasonography, which requires the development of regulations and clear evidence-based diagnostic criteria, may become promising. Objective. Increasing the efficiency of outpatient diagnosis of comorbid GERD by modifying transabdominal ultrasound and determining sonographic criteria for the state of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ). Methods. 83 patients with GERD (38 men and 45 women) with a mean age of 38.3±6.6 years were examined on an outpatient basis at the Kuban State Medical University. Study design: case series. All patients underwent anthropometry, modified ultrasound of the esophagus and stomach with determination of the volume of gastroesophageal (GE) refluctate, esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Results. The ultrasound and esophagoscopic criteria reflecting the state of the EGJ had a positive correlation in patients with GERD. The volume of GE refluctate in comorbid GERD showed a direct correlation with the stage of GERD according to esophagoscopy and esophageal ultrasound, and was also statistically significantly associated with tobacco smoking, the patient age, duodenogastric reflux and the presence of erosive esophagitis. Conclusion. The practical significance of the non-invasive transabdominal ultrasound technique involves the early diagnosis of GERD with the determination of the volume of GE refluctate, structural changes in the EGJ, and comorbid conditions.

ultrasound examination, esophagoscopy, gastroesophageal reflux disease, volume of gastroesophageal refluctate