Extraesophageal gastroesophageal reflux disease - Presentations and approach to treatment

Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common in the adult US population, but likely is underestimated as many patients present with symptoms other than heartburn or regurgitation. Ears, nose, throat, pulmona ry, and cardiac symptoms also frequently are related to GERD. The diagnosis of GERD as a cause of these symptoms can be difficult and treatment strate gies are much less clear than in patients presenting with heartburn or regu rgitation. This article discusses the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis , and treatment of some of the manifestations of extraesophageal reflux dis ease.