AIM:To investigate usefulness of adherence to gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD) guideline established by the Spanish Association of Gastroenterology.METHODS:Prospective,observational and multicentre study of 301 patients with typical symptoms of GERD who should be managed in accordance with guidelines and were attended by gastroenterologists in daily practice.Patients(aged > 18 years) were eligible for inclusion if they had typical symptoms of GERD(heartburn and/or acid regurgitation) as the major complaint in the presence or absence of accompanying atypical symptoms,such as dyspeptic symptoms and/or supraesophageal symptoms.Diagnostic and therapeutic decisions should be made based on specific recommendations of the Spanish clinical practice guideline for GERD which is a widely disseminated and well known instrument among Spanish in digestive disease specialists.RESULTS:Endoscopy was indicated in 123(41%) patients:50 with alarm symptoms,32 with age > 50 years without alarm symptom.Seventy-two patients(58.5%) had esophagitis(grade A,23,grade B,28,grade C,18,grade D,3).In the presence of alarm symptoms,endoscopy was indicated consistently with recommendations in 98% of cases.However,in the absence of alarm symptoms,endoscopy was indicated in 33% of patients > 50 years(not recommended by the guideline).Adherence for proton pump inhibitors(PPIs) therapy was 80%,but doses prescribed were lower(half) in 5% of cases and higher(double) in 15%.Adherence regarding duration of PPI therapy was 69%;duration was shorter than recommended in 1%(4 wk in esophagitis grades C-D) or longer in 30%(8 wk in esophagitis grades A-B or in patients without endoscopy).Treatment response was higher when PPI doses were consistent with guidelines,although differences were not significant(95% vs 85%).CONCLUSION:GERD guideline compliance was quite good although endoscopy was over indicated in patients > 50 years without alarm symptoms;PPIs were prescribed at higher doses and longer duration. AIM: To investigate usefulness of adherence to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) guideline established by the Spanish Association of Gastroenterology. METHODS: Prospective, observational and multicentre study of 301 patients with typical symptoms of GERD who should be managed in accordance with guidelines and foods by gastroenterologists in daily practice. Patients (aged> 18 years) were eligible for inclusion if they had typical symptoms of GERD (heartburn and / or acid regurgitation) as the major complaint in the presence or absence of accompanying atypical symptoms, such as dyspeptic symptoms and / or supraesophageal symptoms. Diagnostic and therapeutic decisions should be made based on specific recommendations of the Spanish clinical practice guideline for GERD which is widely disseminated and well known instruments among Spanish in digestive disease specialists .RESULTS: Endoscopy was indicated in 123 (41 %) patients: 50 with alarm symptoms, 32 with age> 50 years without alarm symptom. Two of the patients (58.5%) had esophagitis (grade A, 23, grade B, 28, grade C, 18, grade D, 3) .In the presence of alarm symptoms, endoscopy was indicated consistently with recommendations in 98% of cases . Where, the absence of alarm symptoms, endoscopy was indicated in 33% of patients> 50 years (not recommended by the guideline.) Address for proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) therapy was 80% in 5% of cases and higher (double) in 15% .Adherence duration of PPI therapy was 69%; duration was shorter than recommended in 1% (4 weeks in esophagitis grades CD) or longer in 30% (8 weeks in esophagitis grades AB or in patients without endoscopy). Treatment response was higher when PPI doses were consistent with guidelines, only differences were not significant (95% vs 85%). CONCLUSION: GERD guideline compliance was quite good although endoscopy was over indicated in patients> 50 years without alarm symptoms; PPIs were prescribed at higher doses and longer duration.