Summary

• Common condition characterised by heartburn and acid regurgitation.
• Atypical symptoms include cough, laryngitis, asthma, or dental erosion.
• Diagnosis is clinical. A therapeutic trial of a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) can serve for both diagnosis and initial treatment.
• Upper endoscopy indicated to evaluate for complications; for atypical, persistent, or relapsing symptoms; or for alarm features (e.g., weight loss, anaemia).
• High rate of relapse upon stopping treatment.
• Serious complications include stricture, Barrett's oesophagus, or oesophageal carcinoma.