Background: Many patients with chronic gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have frequent nighttime heartburn as well as sleep-related gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR). Sleep-related GOR has been shown to play an important role in the development of oesophagitis and other complications of GOR.
Aim: To present a conceptual argument that nighttime heartburn and associated sleep-related GOR should be recognized as a distinct clinical entity deserving special attention with regard to the diagnosis and treatment of GERD.
Methods: The data presented come from surveys of GERD patients as well as from physiological studies to include studies monitoring oesophageal pH and spontaneous reflux events during polysomnographically (PSG) monitored sleep.
Results: Evidence is presented to show that nighttime heartburn is prevalent and its occurrence separates patients from those who have heartburn most exclusively in the daytime. The evidence presented also supports the notion that nighttime heartburn sufferers have a more complicated disease and they have a greater risk of developing oesophagitis and other respiratory complications. The data also show that responses to acid mucosal contact are quite different during sleep compared to responses measured during the waking state.
Conclusions: Nighttime heartburn and GOR represent a distinct clinical entity which deserves specific attention in the diagnosis and optimal treatment of GERD.