Efficacy and Safety of Anti-Reflux Mucosal Ablation in Proton Pump Inhibitors Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
10-2025
Publication Title
American Journal of Gastroenterology
Abstract
Introduction: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) refractory to the Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) poses a serious clinical challenge. New endoscopic minimally invasive procedures, causing cardiac remodeling, have emerged. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the less invasive approach called Anti-reflux mucosal ablation (ARMA) in GERD. Methods: Electronic databases including PubMed, Cochrane Central and ScienceDirect were searched from inception till January 2025. This review followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The pooled analysis was performed using a random effects model in R version 4.2.3 employing the “metaprop” package. The primary and secondary outcomes of interest were clinical success rate at short-term (< 1 year) and long-term (≥1 year) follow-ups, adverse events, dysphagia requiring dilation and Gastroesophageal reflux disease health-related quality of life (GERD-HRQL) score. The quality assessment was done by the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Publication bias was assessed visually through funnel plots. Results: Five studies encompassing a total of 294 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled clinical success rates at short and long follow-ups were 72% (95% CI:[56-84%]; I2 = 70.8%) and 73% (95% CI:[19-97%]; I2 = 0%) respectively. The pooled adverse effects were 18% (95% CI:[4- 54%]; I2 5 91.6%). Among these adverse effects, the dysphagia requiring dilation was 13% (95% CI: [7-22%]; I2 = 0%). Conclusion: This meta-analysis showed that ARMA has a high clinical success rate along with low incidence of adverse effects implying that it is a safe and effective minimally invasive endoscopic treatment modality for GERD resistant to PPI.
Volume
120
Issue
10S2
First Page
S485
Last Page
S485
Recommended Citation
Chaudhary AJ, Ul Abideen Z, Waseem MH, Aimen S, Ramzan NUH, Shahid H, et al. [Bin Hameed U]. Efficacy and safety of anti-reflux mucosal ablation in proton pump inhibitors refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2025 Oct;120(10S2):S485. doi:10.14309/01.ajg.0001136484.13272.f5
DOI
10.14309/01.ajg.0001136484.13272.f5

Comments
American College of Gastroenterology Annual Meeting, October 24-29, 2025, Phoenix, AZ