Dilation of intercellular spaces is a feature of NERD patients, irrespective of esophageal acid exposure, and can be considered an objective, structural marker of GERD symptoms. Impaired esophageal mucosal resistance, even to small amounts of acid refluxate, plays a key role in the pathophysiology of NERD.

Patients with non-erosive gastro-oesophageal reflux disease are characterized by a significantly higher proportion of proximal acid refluxes and a higher sensitivity to short-lasting refluxes when compared with patients with oesophagitis. The highest proximal acid exposure and highest perception occurred in patients with non-erosive gastro-oesophageal reflux disease presenting with a normal pH-metric profile. The assessment of acid distribution and its perception in the oesophageal body can better identify reflux patients who should benefit from acid-suppressive treatment.

Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are chronic, relapsing, inflammatory disorders of the digestive tract that characteristically develop in adolescence and early adulthood. The reported prevalence of malnutrition in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients ranges between 20% and 85%. Several factors, including reduced oral food intake, malabsorption, chronic blood and proteins loss, and intestinal bacterial overgrowth, contribute to malnutrition in IBD patients. Poor nutritional status, as well as selective malnutrition or sarcopenia, is associated with poor clinical outcomes, response to therapy and, therefore, quality of life. The nutritional assessment should include a dietetic evaluation with the assessment of daily caloric intake and energy expenditure, radiological assessment, and measurement of functional capacity.