Clinical Research Directory

Evaluating Medication Adherence of Patients With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease With Support of the Smartphone Application GERDCare

Adherence to GERD treatment, including medication, diet, and lifestyle, is essential for symptom control and complication prevention, yet adherence rates remain low due to various demographic and clinical factors. Digital therapeutics, particularly mobile health applications, have shown promising potential in supporting chronic disease management and improving patient outcomes. The GERDCare mobile application was developed with direct input from gastrointestinal experts. It is designed to enhance treatment adherence and patient engagement by offering features such as educational resources, symptom tracking, medication reminders, and direct communication between patients and physicians. The investigators are conducting a single-center, open-label, randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of using GERDCare in improving patient adherence. Patients are followed up after four weeks of GERD treatment.

A Study Comparing the Effect and Safety of Linaprazan Glurate to Lansoprazole in Maintenance of Healing in Participants With Healed Erosive Esophagitis (EE) Due to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate how well linaprazan glurate can maintain healed erosive esophagitis (EE) caused by GERD in participants who have participated in a prior healing trial, compared to lansoprazole (an approved treatment for GERD). Researchers will also examine: * the effect of linaprazan glurate on heartburn symptoms compared to lansoprazole. * whether linaprazan glurate treatment is safe and tolerable, based on symptoms and procedures such as blood and urine tests, endoscopy, and electrocardiograms (measure the heart's electrical activity). Endoscopy means that the doctor will insert a thin, flexible tube with a camera down the throat to look at each participant's esophagus area and collect small tissue samples (called biopsies). * the side effects that may happen during treatment with linaprazan glurate. Participants must be between 18 to 80 years old and have participated in a prior healing trial with healed EE (due to GERD) confirmed by an endoscopy either from the prior healing trial or from the initial period of this trial. Participants cannot participate if they are not healed, had to stop trial treatment because of a side effect in a prior healing trial, or if they have a condition that could make it unsafe. The study is a randomized, double-blind, active comparator-controlled clinical trial lasting for almost 14 months. Randomized means that participants are assigned by chance (like flipping a coin) to one of the treatment groups and double-blind means neither the participants nor the study team will know which treatment is given. Participants will be placed into one of three groups: * Linaprazan glurate - High dose * Linaparazan glurate - Low dose, and * Lansoprazole - marketed approved dose Everyone will take a total of 2 tablets and 1 capsule orally every day for up to 52 weeks. The tablets and capsule will be separated into a morning dose and an evening dose. Some tablets or capsules will be placebos (look like medicine but contain no active drug). Participants will complete several questionnaires on an electronic device during treatment. An endoscopy will be performed after 24 weeks of treatment to determine if healing has been maintained. If healing has been maintained, the participant will continue taking trial treatment and another endoscopy will be performed at 52 weeks. If healing has not been maintained at 24 weeks or if the participant has reached 52 weeks, the participant will stop taking trial treatment and return for a follow up visit.

Comparing Two Different Methods of Ablation of Inlet Patches (APC vs RFA)

The goal of this prospective study is to compare 2 different treatment options for the ablation of inlet patches in patients with esophageal symptoms. The main questions it aims to answer are: Is 1 method more effective than the other? Do patients prefer 1 method over the other? Participants will undergo ablation with either argon plasma or radiofrequency.

TLSA Versus TBSA Surgical Approach for Hiatal Hernia With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), characterized by pathological reflux of gastric contents, affects 10%-20% of the global population with Western predominance and escalating incidence over recent decades. Anatomical and functional abnormalities of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) such as hiatal hernia (HH) is one of the major pathophysiological mechanisms. GERD elevates risks for Barrett esophagus, esophageal adenocarcinoma and interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, while characteristic symptoms including reflux and heartburn substantially impair quality of life (QoL). Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are used to alleviate symptoms and prevent reflux-related esophageal mucosal damage, but may cause long-term adverse effects. Anti-reflux surgery (ARS) is a well-established therapeutic option for patients with anatomical abnormalities, chronic PPI-refractory symptoms or unwilling to take lifelong PPIs. It provides comparable or potentially superior efficacy to PPIs, especially in reconstructing anatomical structures and addressing EGJ functional deficiencies. Maximize patients' QoL while minimizing side effects is priority for ARS. Despite advancements in surgical techniques, ARS remains invasive and is associated with inherent mechanical complications, including dysphagia and potential vagus nerve injury. A growing consensus recognizes that hepatic vagus nerve injury, occurring in a significant proportion of patients following ARS, potentially contributes to postoperative dysfunctions such as delayed gastric emptying, impaired reflux control, dyspeptic symptoms, cholelithiasis, ultimately diminishing QoL. Although the traditional bilateral surgical approach (TBSA) is widely used, its requisite dissection of the lesser omentum invariably injures or severs the hepatic branch of the vagus nerve. The hepatic branch of the vagus arises from the anterior trunk and predominantly innervates the gastric antrum, pylorus, proximal duodenum and biliary tract. Functionally, it mediates a spectrum of vital physiological process including hepato-gastric reflexes that facilitate gastric motility via osmotic sensing, as well as glucose-sensitive reflexes that inhibit gastric motility and delay gastric emptying. Furthermore, hepatic branch is involved in food intake and metabolic homeostasis, and it exerts parasympathetic control over the coordinated contraction of the gallbladder and sphincter of Oddi. However, the functional preservation of the hepatic branch of the vagus nerve during ARS remains poorly understood, with limited clinical evidence and absent robust guidelines. Based on our preliminary findings, we initiated a long-term evaluation of the total left-side approach (TLSA), a nerve-sparing strategy that preserves the lesser omentum and hepatogastric ligament to safeguard the hepatic branch of the vagus nerve, with the aim of enhancing postoperative QoL.

Sling-Fiber Preservation POEM vs. Conventional POEM for Reducing Post-POEM GERD

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is an effective, minimally invasive treatment for achalasia, offering excellent rates of symptom relief. However, a significant drawback is the high incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) following the procedure. One proposed technical modification, the selective preservation of the sling fibers during gastric myotomy (SFP-POEM), may reduce this risk without compromising efficacy as compared to a conventional POEM procedure, which includes myotomy of the sling fibers. In this study, adults with achalasia will be randomly assigned to receive one of the two POEM technical approaches. Researchers will monitor whether preserving sling fibers reduces the rates of reflux esophagitis (classified as Los Angeles Grade B or higher) on follow-up endoscopy. Participants will be followed for up to 1 year after the procedure.

A Study Comparing the Effect and Safety of Linaprazan Glurate to Lansoprazole in Participants With Erosive Esophagitis (EE) Due to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

The goal of this clinical trial is to find out how well linaprazan glurate can heal erosive esophagitis (EE) caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), compared to lansoprazole, a commonly used medication. Researchers will also evaluate whether linaprazan glurate: * Reduces heartburn symptoms more effectively than lansoprazole * Is safe and well tolerated, based on physical exams, blood tests, and vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and breathing rate) * Causes any side effects during treatment * Has different effects depending on how much of the drug is in the blood * Works differently depending on participants' genes Participants must be between 18 to 80 years old and have EE due to GERD confirmed by an endoscopy. Participants cannot join if they have an active Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection or were treated for HP in the past 6 weeks or have taken antibiotics or bismuth-containing drugs in the past 6 weeks. The study is a randomized, double-blind, active comparator-controlled trial lasting up to 4 months. Randomized means that participants are assigned by chance (like flipping a coin) to one of the treatment groups and double-blind means neither the participants nor the study team will know which treatment is given. Participants will be placed into one of three groups (about 167 people in each group): * Linaprazan glurate 50 mg twice a day * Linaprazan glurate 50 mg once a day * Lansoprazole 30 mg once a day Everyone will take 2 tablets and 1 capsule by mouth daily for 8 weeks. Some tablets or capsules will be placebos (look like medicine but contain no active drug). Participants will: * Undergo an endoscopy in the beginning and after 4 weeks of treatment * If healing is not observed, another endoscopy may be done at 8 weeks * During the procedure, doctors will use a thin, flexible tube with a camera to look at the esophagus and take small tissue samples (biopsies) * Have blood and urine tests at clinic visits to check overall health * Receive electrocardiograms (ECGs) to monitor heart function * Complete daily questionnaires on an electronic device about symptoms and experiences

Safety and Effectiveness of eGERD Device to Reduce Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Symptoms

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the eGERD device, which is a novel device for treating Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). The main questions this research aims to answer are: 1. Does the eGERD device reduce acidity in the esophagus? 2. Does the eGERD device reduce GERD symptoms such as heartburn and regurgitation? 3. What medical problems do participants have when using the eGERD device? To assess the acidity in the esophagus, a wireless standard-of-care capsule called Bravo will be placed in the participants esophagus (throat) for several days. To assess GERD symptoms, participants will be requested to report symptoms they experience using a smartphone application. Researchers will compare a real version of the eGERD device to a sham version (a look-alike device that has no therapeutic effect) to see if the eGERD device is effective in treating GERD.

Evaluating Medication Adherence of Patients With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease With Support of Smartphone Application GERDCare

Adherence to GERD treatment, including medication, diet, and lifestyle, is essential for symptom control and complication prevention, yet adherence rates remain low due to various demographic and clinical factors. Digital therapeutics, particularly mobile health applications, have shown promising potential in supporting chronic disease management and improving patient outcomes. The GERDCare mobile application was developed with direct input from gastrointestinal experts. It is designed to enhance treatment adherence and patient engagement by offering features such as educational resources, symptom tracking, medication reminders, and direct communication between patients and physicians. We are conducting a single-center, open-label, randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of using GERDCare in improving patient adherence. Patients are followed up after four weeks of GERD treatment.

The Influence of Specialized Food Products Based on Ice-Cream on Esophageal Motility

This study aims to assess the influence of specialized products based on ice cream on esophageal motility

PPI Refractory - GERD Mechanisms in Systemic Sclerosis

The goal of this observational study is to learn about the mechanisms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) who continue to experience reflux symptoms despite treatment with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). The main question it aims to answer is: What are the underlying gastrointestinal mechanisms contributing to PPI-refractory reflux symptoms in patients with SSc? Participants with a confirmed diagnosis of SSc and persistent reflux symptoms despite PPI therapy will undergo standard-of-care diagnostic tests, including high-resolution esophageal manometry and pH-impedance monitoring. Clinical data and test results will be collected and analyzed to identify patterns of motility dysfunction and reflux characteristics associated with refractory symptoms.

Normal Values of Ambulatory 24-hour Oesophageal pH-impedance Monitoring in an Indian Cohort of Participants

This study aims to determine normal 24-hour pH-impedance monitoring values, including acid exposure time (AET), in healthy Indian adults. It will help improve GERD diagnosis in India by providing population-specific data. The study will also explore how diet, body position, and nighttime reflux affect acid exposure. Healthy volunteers aged 18 and above will be monitored for 24 hours.

A Blinded Randomized Clinical Study of RefluxStop™ Compared With Nissen Fundoplication in the Treatment of GERD

This study will evaluate if the RefluxStop™ device will treat your acid reflux and improve your symptoms and how it compares to the standard surgical treatment for GERD, the Nissen fundoplication.