Are Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux in Children Associated with Diagnoses of Endoscopic and/or Histological Esophagitis?

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to find out whether symptoms in children suspected to have gastroesophageal reflux disease are correlated with the endoscopic and/or histological diagnoses of esophagitis. Material and Methods: The data of 140 children [mean age 8.9 +/- 4.6 (0.16-18) years] who underwent diagnostic upper endoscopy and biopsy of distal esophagus were collected between January 2002 and December 2004. Endoscopic findings were classified according to the Los Angeles system. Histopathological findings were classified according to Knuff & Leape classification. The relationship between symptoms and the diagnoses of endoscopic or histological esophagitis was examined retrospectively. Results: Twenty nine patients (20.7%) had endoscopic esophagitis and 51(36.4%) had histological reflux esophagitis. Prevalence of erosive reflux disease was 12.1 %, and that of non-erosive reflux disease was 24.3%. The symptoms suggesting gastroesophageal reflux did not have a statistically significant correlation with endoscopic or histological esophagitis. Conclusion: The diagnostic value of symptoms in children suspected to have gastroesophageal reflux disease are low. Regardless of the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux, collecting biopsy samples from esophagus still seems to be a beneficial approach both in children undergoing diagnostic upper endoscopy when there is no contraindication for obtaining a biopsy.