ABSTRACT
Gastro-oesophageal reflux is very common, but does not always cause symptoms. Up to 15% of the population experience symptomatic reflux every month, but only a minority seek medical attention (Figure 3.1). When symptoms occur, they are often due to oesophagitis, or oesophageal dysmotility, but an important minority present with complications such as bleeding and stricture, or have columnar epithelial (Barrett’s) transformation of the lower oesophageal mucosa that predisposes to adenocarcinoma.
