食管黏膜损伤的严重程度取决于接触胃内容物的持续时间、胃内容物的特征(胃酸、胃蛋白酶和胆盐可破环黏膜)以及上皮细胞对损伤的抵抗力。
接触胃内容物的持续时间取决于反流发作的次数、食管蠕动的效力以及唾液对胃酸的中和程度。[3]Kahrilas PJ, Shaheen NJ, Vaezi MF, et al. American Gastroenterological Association medical position statement on the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Gastroenterology. 2008;135:1383-91.http://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085%2808%2901606-5/fulltexthttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18789939?tool=bestpractice.com 低振幅的食管收缩可能发生在严重的反流中,减弱了从食管清除胃酸的能力。
咽喉的症状可能是由间歇性的咽部反流导致的。主要发生在夜间,此时上食管括约肌静息压减弱。迷走神经刺激(由下食管中的胃酸所导致)可以导致慢性咳嗽和清嗓。这些作用机制尚缺乏明确的证据。[15]Ronkainen J, Aro P, Storskrubb T, et al. Prevalence of Barrett's esophagus in the general population: an endoscopic study. Gastroenterology. 2005 Dec;129(6):1825-31.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16344051?tool=bestpractice.com[16]Dent J, El-Serag HB, Wallander MA, et al. Epidemiology of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review. Gut. 2005 May;54(5):710-7.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1774487/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15831922?tool=bestpractice.com
长期吸入反流物和血管迷走神经性支气管狭窄可以导致反流诱发的哮喘,但是并未建立明确的因果关系。无症状的胃食管反流常见于哮喘控制不良的患者,但质子泵抑制剂治疗并不能改善哮喘发作。[17]American Lung Association Asthma Clinical Research Centers, Mastronarde JG, Anthonisen NR, et al. Efficacy of esomeprazole for treatment of poorly controlled asthma. N Engl J Med. 2009 Apr 9;360(15):1487-99.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19357404?tool=bestpractice.com 吸入性肺炎可能由食管运动功能障碍导致,尚缺乏发病机制的明确依据。[16]Dent J, El-Serag HB, Wallander MA, et al. Epidemiology of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review. Gut. 2005 May;54(5):710-7.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1774487/http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15831922?tool=bestpractice.com
用质子泵抑制剂治疗后仍有烧心、反流以及吞咽困难等症状出现的原因尚不清楚,而且通过内镜检查、测压以及胃酸监测等仍然不能够解释。很可能存在包括高敏感性或功能性综合征,但仍缺少证据。[3]Kahrilas PJ, Shaheen NJ, Vaezi MF, et al. American Gastroenterological Association medical position statement on the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Gastroenterology. 2008;135:1383-91.http://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085%2808%2901606-5/fulltexthttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18789939?tool=bestpractice.com