Elderlies with Reflux Esophagitis in the Context of COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: Gastroesophageal reflux disease is chronic, recurrent and affects millions of people worldwide. In the context of COVID-19, it should be detected in primary health care.

Objective: To characterize, according to endoscopic and histological demographic variables, elderly patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease in the context of COVID-19.

Methods: An observational and descriptive study of case series was carried out at the gastroenterology service of Hospital General Docente Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso, of Santiago de Cuba, between 2019 and 2020, which included 35 elderly patients aged 60 years or more, with an endoscopic and histological diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease. The variables analyzed were age, sex, degree of esophagitis and histological diagnosis. Percentage was used as a summary measure for qualitative variables.

Results: Endoscopy showed a predominance of grade A reflux esophagitis in patients aged 70 years or older (36.9 %), as well as grade A of Los Angeles classification in both sexes (52.0 % and 48.0 % of men and women, respectively). According to histological diagnosis, chronic esophagitis (47.6 %) of patients with grade A reflux esophagitis prevailed (47.6 %).

Conclusions: In the context of COVID-19, a predominance of grade A reflux esophagitis was reported in elderly patients with an accurate diagnosis. Strategies for prevention and management of this disease should be planned from primary health care.