ISSN:
1365-2036
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Background : Impedance-pH monitoring is the most sensitive method for detection and characterization of gastro-oesophageal reflux episodes. Normal values from European subjects are lacking.Aim : To build a database of gastro-oesophageal reflux patterns from French and Belgian healthy subjects.Methods : Seventy-two healthy subjects (35 men, mean age 35 years, 18–72) underwent 24-h ambulatory impedance-pH studies. Gastro-oesophageal reflux episodes were detected using impedance and characterized by pH as acid, weakly acidic, or weakly alkaline. Analysis was performed visually and effects of age, gender and intra-individual reproducibility were evaluated.Results : The total number of gastro-oesophageal reflux episodes was 44 (25,58,75) of which 59% were acid, 28% were weakly acidic and 10% weakly alkaline. Half of gastro-oesophageal reflux episodes were mixed (liquid/gas) and 22% reached 15 cm above the lower oesophageal sphincter. The bolus clearance time was 11 s while acid was chemically cleared in 34 s. Male gender was associated with increased number and proximal extent of total and acid gastro-oesophageal reflux. Repeated studies in 27 subjects showed good reproducibility for number, acidity and air–liquid composition of reflux (Kendall's W-values = 0.72–0.85).Conclusions : This study demonstrates good reproducibility of 24-h ambulatory impedance-pH studies and provides values of reflux patterns in healthy subjects for comparisons with European gastro-oesophageal reflux disease patients.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2005.02677.x
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