Question

Katie G. is a 29 year old culinary arts student who comes to the clinic for a routine prophylaxis. She notes on her medical history that she suffers from "heartburn" almost every evening. Her chief complaint is stain on her anterior teeth, which she blames on her two packs per day cigarette habit and from sinking black coffee all day. Her blood pressure is 138/96, pulse is 90, and respirations are 15 per minute. During the intraoral examination, the hygiene student notes severe erosion on the mandibular molars, and her throat and soft palate are redder than normal. Katie's medication history includes over the counter antacids taken to relieve her symptoms, oral contraceptive, and ibuprofen almost every day for headaches.

What long-term adverse health issues could occur if Katie's GERD is not treated?
A. Barrett's esophagus
B. Stomach cancer
C. Esophageal cancer
D. All of the above
E. A, B, and C
G. A and D

Answer 1

Untreated GERD in Katie G. could lead to serious conditions such as Barrett's esophagus, stomach cancer and esophageal cancer, making the answer 'All of the above'.

Step-by-step explanation:

Katie G. is a 29-year-old culinary arts student who experiences heartburn almost every evening and has severe erosion on her mandibular molars. This heartburn is a symptom of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), which if left untreated, can lead to several long-term adverse health issues.

Among the potential complications that can arise from untreated GERD, the following are notable:

• Barrett's esophagus: This condition is the replacement of the normal squamous epithelium lining the esophagus with columnar epithelium due to chronic acid exposure from GERD, increasing the risk of esophageal cancer.
• Stomach cancer: While not as directly related to GERD as Barrett's esophagus, chronic inflammation and changes in the stomach lining due to persistent reflux may increase the risk.
• Esophageal cancer: Chronic inflammation from GERD can lead to changes in the esophageal cells, increasing the risk for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.

Thus, if Katie's GERD is not treated, she could potentially face all the conditions listed above: Barrett's esophagus, stomach cancer and esophageal cancer. Consequently the correct answer to the question would be D. All of the above.