Rome IV incorporated a new diagnostic category into the functional esophageal disorders group called reflux hypersensitivity. This new name replaced the term hypersensitive esophagus and included patients with normal acid reflux parameters but with symptomatic correlation with reflux events. Functional heartburn, which denoted lack of correlation between symptoms and reflux events in the background of normal pH test, and reflux hypersensitivity, should be excluded in heartburn patients who failed proton pump inhibitor treatment. Reflux hypersensitivity patients demonstrates esophageal hypersensitivity to reflux (any type), and both, reflux hypersensitivity and functional heartburn’s symptoms are driven by central and peripheral sensitization. The correct differentiation between these two esophageal disorders allows a therapeutic approach with greater chance of success. Neuromodulators are considered the mainstay of treatment for these patients even though patients with reflux hypersensitivity demonstrate response to anti-reflux treatment as well.
Upregulation of acid sensing ion channels is associated with esophageal hypersensitivity in GERD
