Mederi Therapeutics has announced that the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) recently issued a Clinical Spotlight Review (CSR) Guideline statement on Stretta Therapy for GERD. The CSR as well as other new data was presented during an industry symposium at the recent SAGES 2017 Annual Meeting in Houston, TX.

The new CSR of Endoluminal Treatments for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), published online, reviews existing data and provides evidence-based answers to key clinically relevant questions. Developed by the SAGES Guidelines Committee, the CSR details outcomes of Stretta as compared to medications or surgery, along with safety, long-term durability, and procedural learning curve.

The CSR recommendation states: "Based on existing evidence, Stretta significantly improves health related quality of life scores, heartburn scores, incidence of esophagitis, and esophageal acid exposure in patients with GERD". Regarding Stretta's benefits, the CSR concluded: "The effectiveness of Stretta diminishes some over time, but persistent effects have been described for up to 10 years in appropriately selected GERD patients. Stretta is more effective than PPI, but less so than fundoplication. Stretta is safe in adults and has a short learning curve. (Level of evidence +++, Strong recommendation)".

Brian Dunkin, MD, past president of SAGES, Head of Endoscopic Surgery at the Houston Methodist Hospital, and Medical Director of the Houston Methodist Institute for Technology, Innovation & Education (MITIESM) in Houston, Texas, noted SAGES' commitment to supporting proven and innovative technologies that offer safe, effective and durable options for patients. "The SAGES Guidelines committee recognizes the problem of chronic GERD, noting that 25-42% of patients with GERD don't achieve adequate response to an initial 4-8 week treatment with proton pump inhibitors (PPI). Despite the effectiveness of surgery, it is invasive, requires hospitalization and has a risk of short and long-term complications. A "middle therapy" like Stretta, which provides an option between medications and surgery, is an attractive alternative to patients, physicians and payers alike."

Mederi hosted a symposium at the SAGES 2017 Annual Meeting that highlighted the new CSR as well as a recently published Stretta Meta-Analysis. The symposium featured perspectives on the use of Stretta to treat GERD by both a Gastroenterologist and a Surgeon. Speakers, Dr. Nirav Thosani, Chair of Gastroenterology and Director of Advanced Endocopy at Ertan Digestive Disease Center at Memorial Hermann Hospital, and Dr. Samer Mattar, Professor and Chief of Bariatric Services at Oregon Health Sciences University, presented on the latest Stretta data and their view on GERD treatments, describing where Stretta fits in their practice, and shared positive experiences with Stretta in treating GERD patients.

ABOUT MEDERI® AND STRETTA®
Mederi manufactures innovative devices that use non-ablative radiofrequency (RF) energy to treat digestive diseases. Stretta is an endoscopic, non-surgical treatment that is proven safe and effective for GERD in 40 studies and is available worldwide.