[Classification of gastroesophageal reflux disease and gastritis]

The gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is frequent and causes by retrograde flow of the gastric content through incompetent gastroesophageal junction. Epidemiological studies have proved that GORD is associated with hearburn in high prevalence. In western countries several studies reported that 20-40% of adult population experience heartburn symptoms at least once in the year, approximately 10% have symptoms weekly and 5% daily. Esophagitis was objectively defined as a mucosal damage and it was endoscopically verificated in 25% of patients. Indeed, GORD symptoms and esophagitis are in poor correlation and less than half of patients with heartburn symptoms had esophagitis on endoscopy. From 1989, Savary Monniér and Metaplasia-Ulcer-Stricture-Erosion (MUSE) endoscopically classification is in use. From 1994, LA (Los Angeles) classification of reflux disease is also in use by endoscopists. During its life cycle, gastric mucosa is exposed to different harmful agents and its response is restitution "ad integrum" on the beginning and at the end of process. First line defence is mucuse barrier which prevent contact between epithelial cell and possible irritant. Important role in mucuse layer plays prostaglandins. After several classification systems previously used, in 1991 Price introduced Sydney system gradation and gastritis classification. Pointing out importance of topographical differences in gastritis distribution, system has introduced 5 histological variations in its Morphological section: chronic inflammation, neutrophylic activity, glandular atrophy, intestinal metaplasy and H. pylori colonisation, with 4 points grading.