Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate the dynamic characteristics of pathologic gastro-oesophageal reflux.
METHODS: Five-channel ambulatory 24-h oesophageal pH monitoring was performed in 19 gastro-oesophageal reflux disease patients (age, 21-74 years) and in 19 healthy volunteers (age, 21-64 years). The pH was recorded at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 cm from the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS), using a sample frequency of 4 Hz for each channel. Automated analysis included calculation of the ascending velocity of the refluxate and duration and extent (cm above the LOS) of all individual reflux episodes.
RESULTS: In the patients more upright reflux episodes reached the proximal sensor than in the controls (20% and 11%, respectively, P < 0.01). The duration of the reflux episodes (measured at 3 cm above the LOS) was longer in the patients than in controls (P < 0.0001). This effect was independent of the proximal extent of the reflux episodes. Ascending velocities of upright acid reflux were higher in controls (1.8 to 2.7 cm/sec) than in patients (0.7 to 2.2 cm/sec; P = 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS: The dynamic characteristics of pathologic reflux differ significantly from those of physiologic reflux.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 731-7 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology |
Volume | 30 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Aug 1995 |
Keywords
- Adult
- Aged
- Algorithms
- Case-Control Studies
- Esophagogastric Junction/physiopathology
- Esophagus/physiopathology
- Female
- Gastroesophageal Reflux/diagnosis
- Humans
- Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Monitoring, Ambulatory
- Posture/physiology