Phenotypes of gastroesophageal reflux disease: a vision based on its pathophysiology

The advancement of knowledge in pathophysiology and underlying etiologies of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has allowed the development of the concept of disease beyond the acidity of reflux. The variability in the symptom presentation and the response to treatment cannot be attributed only to reflux composition, since esophageal factors, such as structural, mechanical, biochemical, and physiological aspects, play an important role. The proposed personalized approach to GERD uses a stepwise approach that optimizes performance and phenotypic outcome while minimizing invasiveness, risk, and cost. Throughout the staggered approach to determine the GERD phenotype, clinicians may choose to stop further testing and continue treatment if available information identifies a different GERD phenotype. Since not all phenotypes GERD are the same and not all treatments are appropriate for all patients, therapeutic strategies must be personalized according to their phenotype.