The effect of endoscopic fundoplication and proton pump inhibitors on baseline impedance and heartburn severity in GERD patients

Background Antireflux therapy may lead to recovery of impaired mucosal integrity in gastro‐esophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients as reflected by an increase in baseline impedance. The study objective was to evaluate the effect of endoscopic fundoplication and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) PPI therapy on baseline impedance and heartburn severity in GERD patients. Methods Forty‐seven GERD patients randomized to endoscopic fundoplication (n = 32) or PPI therapy (n = 15), and 29 healthy controls were included. Before randomization and 6 months after treatment, baseline impedance was obtained during 24‐h pH‐impedance monitoring. Heartburn severity was evaluated using the GERD‐HRQL questionnaire. Key Results Before treatment, baseline impedance in GERD patients was lower than in healthy controls (p