Medical therapy of supraesophageal gastroesophageal reflux disease

Medical therapy of supraesophageal gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is based on the principals for treating patients with heartburn and erosive esophagitis, observations from the few available clinical trials, and clinical experience. In general, patients with supraesophageal GERD require higher doses of antireflux therapy, principally with proton pump inhibitors, for longer periods of time to effectively relieve symptoms compared with patients with heartburn and/or erosive esophagitis. This article reviews the current literature and discusses a suggested approach to medical management of these often complex patients.