Daniel Sifrim
Professor Daniel Sifrim completed his medical training in 1979 at the Buenos Aires University, Argentina. He did his Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology training at the Posadas General Hospital, in Buenos Aires. In 1990 he moved to Belgium for specialized training in gastro-intestinal motility. He was a research fellow at the Center for Gastroenterological Research at the University of Leuven, Belgium and he obtained a PhD degree in 1994 under the supervision of Prof. dr. G. Vantrappen. From 1994 - 2008, Prof Sifrim developed his clinical research and academic career in Belgium. He was appointed first Associate Professor and later full Professor of Medicine at the University of Leuven. Prof. Sifrim has recently been appointed Professor of Gastrointestinal Physiology at Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry at Queen Mary, University of London. His research focuses on the physiology and pathophysiology of esophageal motility and gastro-esophageal reflux disease. Prof Sifrim has been devoted to development of new techniques to measure esophageal motility and gastroesophageal reflux. He serves as reviewer for most of the gastroenterology journals and has authored or co-authored more than 100 original articles, book chapters and reviews on esophageal disorders. He received the American Gastroenterology Association, Janssen Award 2003 for Basic and Clinical Research.
Research interests:
- in vitro studies on changes in esophageal mucosa permeability due to stress or exposure to bile acids.
- in vivo animal studies on pharmachology of the lower esophageal sphincter and TLESRs; analysis of the relationship between esophageal inflammation and motility; the physiology of the esophageal longitudinal muscle layer and esophageal shortening
- physiological studies in healthy human subjects on the role of inhibitory mechanisms in the regulation of primary and secondary peristalsis; the relationship between inhibition in the esophageal body and TLESRs; measurements of tone in the esophageal body; pharmachological studies on TLESRs and reflux
- studies in patients with primary esophageal motor disorders defining the role of incomplete inhibitory mechanisms in the pathophysiology of diffusse spasm and achalasia; studies in patients with GERD characterizing different types of reflux (acid and non acid) during TLESRs; analysis of the composition of reflux using impedance pH monitoring both in stationary and ambulatory conditions; analysis of the role of non acid and gas reflux in patients with refractory GERD and NERD; analysis of the role of ineffective motility in the esophageal body both for esophageal clearance and perception of dysphagia; analysis of the role of gastric emptying in the determination of frequency and type of reflux; pharmachological studies on TLESRs and acid and non acid reflux; analysis of the relationship between GER and respiratory disorders like unexplained chronic cough, lung transplant and cystic fibrosis.
Publications:
Boeckxstaens GE, Beaumont H, Mertens V, Denison H, Ruth M, Adler J, Silberg DG, Sifrim D. Effects of lesogaberan on reflux and lower esophageal sphincter function in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Gastroenterology 2010; 139: 409-17.
Farre R, De Vos R, Geboes K, Verbeke K, Vanden Berghe P, Depoortere I, Blondeau K, Tack J, Sifrim D. Critical role of stress in increased oesophageal mucosa permeability and dilated intercellular spaces. Gut 2007; 56: 1191-7.
Sifrim D, Castell D, Dent J, Kahrilas PJ. Gastro-oesophageal reflux monitoring: review and consensus report on detection and definitions of acid, non-acid, and gas reflux. Gut 2004; 53: 1024-31.
Sifrim D, Holloway R, Silny J , Zhang X, Tack J, Lerut A, Janssens J. Acid, non-acid and gas reflux in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease during 24hr ambulatory pH-impedance recordings. Gastroenterology 2001; 120: 1588-98.
Sifrim DA, Janssens J, Vantrappen G. Failing deglutitive inhibition in primary esophageal motility disorders. Gastroenterology 1994; 106: 875-82.
