In Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2008, important data were presented on the natural history, diagnosis and treatment of both gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Barrett's esophagus. Contributions to diagnosis consisted of the importance of critical analysis of symptom profile in clinical practice and consolidation of impedanciometry as a diagnostic technique in GERD. Treatment highlights consisted of new data on the safety and utility of radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of high- and low-grade dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus.