胃食管反流病相关非心源性胸痛患者食道患病率调查研究

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of esophagus in patients with non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP). MethodsPatients who diagnosed with NCCP from January 2018 to April 2019 in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region People's Hospital were selected as the study subjects. Detailed medical history, physical examination, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, high resolution esophageal manometry and 24 h dynamic esophageal pH monitoring were performed on all subjects. ResultsThe total number of subjects was 85, of which male 45(52.94%), with an average age of 41.2±12.4 years;female was 40 (47.06%), with an average age of 43.3±10.9 years. The most common symptoms in NCCP patients were acid reflux 43.53%, dysphagia 31.76%, heartburn 24.71%. Endoscopic abnormalities of upper gastrointestinal tract accounted for 31.76%, esophageal manometry abnormalities accounted for 67.06%, and dynamic pH monitoring abnormalities accounted for 34.76%. The prevalence of GERD was 42.36% determined by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy combined with 24 h pH monitoring. According to manometric results, ineffective esophageal motility in 23.53% of NCCP patients was the most common cause of NCCP. ConclusionBy analyzing the causes of esophagogenous NCCP, it is helpful for clinicians to exclude other high-risk factors leading to chest pain and to provide appropriate treatment for their diagnosis and treatment     

The cost-effectiveness of the omeprazole test in patients with noncardiac chest pain.

PURPOSE: Recent evidence suggests that an empiric trial of omeprazole (the "omeprazole test") is sensitive and specific for diagnosing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as the cause of noncardiac chest pain. Our objective was to examine the clinical, economic, and policy implications of alternative diagnostic strategies for patients with noncardiac chest pain. METHODS: Decision analysis was used to evaluate the clinical and economic outcomes of two diagnostic strategies that begin with the omeprazole test (60 mg daily for 7 days) followed sequentially by invasive testing utilizing endoscopy, ambulatory 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring, and esophageal manometry as necessary, compared with two traditional strategies involving sequential invasive diagnostic tests. Cost estimates were based on Medicare reimbursement and the Red Book of average wholesale drug prices. Probability estimates were derived from a systematic review of the medical literature. RESULTS: The average cost per patient for the four diagnostic strategies varied from $1,859 to $2,313. Strategies utilizing the initial omeprazole test resulted in 84% of patients being symptom free at 1 year, compared with 73% to 74% for the strategies that began with invasive tests. The strategy of the omeprazole test, followed if necessary by ambulatory pH monitoring, then manometry, and then endoscopy, was both most effective and least expensive. It led to an 11% improvement in diagnostic accuracy and a 43% reduction in the use of invasive diagnostic tests, thus yielding an average cost savings of $454 per patient, compared with the strategy of beginning with endoscopy, then pH monitoring, and then manometry. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with noncardiac chest pain, diagnostic strategies that begin with the omeprazole test result in reduced costs, improved diagnostic certainty, and a greater proportion of symptom-free patients at 1 year than do traditional strategies that begin with invasive diagnostic tests.     

Is proton pump inhibitor testing an effective approach to diagnose gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients with noncardiac chest pain?: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common in patients with noncardiac chest pain (NCCP). Results of studies evaluating the accuracy of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment as a diagnostic test for GERD-related NCCP have varied. We evaluated the overall accuracy of this modality. METHODS: We searched the PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases to May 2004 and included randomized, placebo-controlled studies evaluating the accuracy of findings from PPI testing in the diagnosis of GERD in patients with NCCP. The GERD diagnosis was confirmed by results of endoscopy and/or 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring. A summary diagnostic odds ratio and summary receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were used to estimate the overall accuracy and to explore any contributing factors. RESULTS: Six studies met the inclusion criteria. The overall sensitivity and specificity of a PPI test were 80% (95% confidence interval [CI], 71%-87%) and 74% (95% CI, 64%-83%), respectively, compared with 19% (95% CI, 12%-29%) and 77% (95% CI, 62%-87%), respectively, in the placebo group. The PPI test showed a significant higher discriminative power, with a summary diagnostic odds ratio of 19.35 (95% CI, 8.54-43.84) compared with 0.61 (95% CI, 0.20-1.86) in the placebo group. The impact of the prevalence of GERD and treatment duration on the accuracy of the test could not be determined because of the lack of an adequate number of studies. CONCLUSION: The use of PPI treatment as a diagnostic test for detecting GERD in patients with NCCP has an acceptable sensitivity and specificity and could be used as an initial approach by primary care physicians to detect GERD in selected patients with NCCP.     

食管混合性酸反流和低动力在非心源性胸痛发作的作用研究

目的胃食管反流病（GERD）是引起非心源性胸痛（NCCP）的最常见因素,本研究探讨酸反流和食管动力障碍在NCCP患者中的作用。 方法按照纳入、排除标准选取2018年9月至2019年6月在新疆维吾尔自治区人民医院急救中心以及微创,疝和腹壁外科住院收治的40例NCCP患者和50例典型GERD症状患者,两组患者均行食管24 h pH监测以及高分辨率食管测压监测。 结果NCCP组食管远端收缩平均积分（DCI）明显低于GERD组,并具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）,提示食管运动功能受损。在NCCP组患者中,与胸痛有关的混合性酸反流明显高于GERD组（P＜0.05）。在NCCP组患者中,与NCCP相关的反流发作在食管5、9和15cm处的反流清除时间比GERD组患者期长（28.3±4.21)s vs(22.6±3.28)s;(13.7±1.32)s vs (18.3±1.47)s;(9.58±1.02)s vs(14.3±1.06)s（P＜0.05）。 结论酸反流性质,食管运动功能受损和延缓反流清除时间与NCCP患者症状发作可能存在密切的关系。     

How do we define non-cardiac chest pain?

Abstract:   Noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) is a heterogeneous disorder associated with substantial health-care costs and resource utilization. NCCP is defined by recurrent episodes of substernal chest pain in patients lacking a cardiac cause after a comprehensive evaluation. The magnitude of the problem is quite high because of fear of serious or life-threatening heart diseases. Patients with chest pain who present for the first time to ambulatory care or to the emergency room, only 11% to 39% are ultimately diagnosed with coronary artery disease. The likely causes of NCCP are numerous and often overlap. Diagnosing NCCP is difficult because NCCP remains a diagnosis of exclusion that encompasses heterogeneous patient populations. First, cardiac ischemic must be excluded and coronary angiography remains the gold standard. Once cardiac causes have been ruled out, a diagnosis of NCCP is made. Mostly, the source for NCCP originates in essence from the esophagus. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common esophageal diseases present in patients with NCCP. An initial empiric trail of high-dose acid suppression is the most cost-effective measure in the management of these patients. When a diagnostic workup is chosen, it centers on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, 24-hr esophageal pH monitoring and esophageal manometry.     

How do we define non-cardiac chest pain?

Abstract: Noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) is a heterogeneous disorder associated with substantial health-care costs and resource utilization. NCCP is defined by recurrent episodes of substernal chest pain in patients lacking a cardiac cause after a comprehensive evaluation. The magnitude of the problem is quite high because of fear of serious or life-threatening heart diseases. Patients with chest pain who present for the first time to ambulatory care or to the emergency room, only 11% to 39% are ultimately diagnosed with coronary artery disease. The likely causes of NCCP are numerous and often overlap. Diagnosing NCCP is difficult because NCCP remains a diagnosis of exclusion that encompasses heterogeneous patient populations. First, cardiac ischemic must be excluded and coronary angiography remains the gold standard. Once cardiac causes have been ruled out, a diagnosis of NCCP is made. Mostly, the source for NCCP originates in essence from the esophagus. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common esophageal diseases present in patients with NCCP. An initial empiric trail of high-dose acid suppression is the most cost-effective measure in the management of these patients. When a diagnostic workup is chosen, it centers on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, 24-hr esophageal pH monitoring and esophageal manometry.     

¿Cuál es la utilidad del test de inhibidores de la bomba de protones en el dolor torácico no cardíaco?

Background and aims

Noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) often represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Given that gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common cause of NCCP, initial treatment with proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) has been proposed for all patients (PPI testing), reserving esophageal function testing solely for non-responders. The aim of the present study was to provide evidence on the clinical utility of PPI testing with high-dose pantoprazole in patients with NCCP.

Patients and methods

We carried out a study of diagnostic performance with a cohort design in patients with NCCP, who had been assessed by the Cardiology Service. All patients underwent upper endoscopy, esophageal manometry, and 24 h esophageal pH monitoring before PPI testing with pantoprazole 40 mg every 12 h for 1 month. Before and after treatment, we assessed the severity (intensity and frequency) of chest pain, quality of life, and anxiety and depression by means of specific questionnaires. The diagnosis of GERD was based on a pathological finding of esophageal pH monitoring. A positive response to PPI testing was defined as an improvement in chest pain > 50% compared with the baseline score after 1 month of PPI therapy.

Results

We included 30 consecutive patients (17 men/13 women) with a mean age of 49 years. Of these 30 patients, 20 with NCCP had GERD (67%, 95% CI: 47%-83%). A positive response to PPI therapy was observed in 13 of the 30 (43%) patients with NCCP: 11 of the 20 (55%) patients in the GERD-positive group and 2 of the 10 (20%) in the GERD-negative group. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of PPI testing was 55%, 80%, 85%, 47% and 63%, respectively. A significant reduction in chest pain after pantoprazole therapy (P = .003) and a slight non significant improvement in anxiety and depression was achieved in the GERD-positive group as compared to the GERD-negative group.

Conclusions

In NCCP, PPI testing with pantoprazole has a low sensitivity for the diagnosis of GERD, placing in doubt the strategy of reserving functional study to non-responders to antisecretory therapy. Esophageal function testing and accurate diagnosis would allow appropriate targeted therapy for all patients with NCCP.     

Pathological bolus exposure plays a significant role in eliciting non-cardiac chest pain

Background and Aim: Pathological bolus exposure is defined in the present study as cases in which all reflux percentage times are above 1.4% of the total reflux number, as revealed by impedance–pH monitoring. The role of pathological bolus exposure in the pathogenesis of non‐cardiac chest pain (NCCP) is poorly known. We aimed to classify and characterize NCCP using combined impedance–pH monitoring. Methods: Seventy‐five consecutive patients with NCCP were prospectively enrolled from January 2006 to October 2008. All the patients underwent upper endoscopy, esophageal manometry, and 24‐h multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII)–pH metering. Results: Sixteen patients (21.3%) had esophageal erosion upon endoscopy. Upon esophageal manometry, 37 patients (49.3%) had esophageal dysmotility. When the patients were classified based on MII–pH metering, 16 (21.3%) showed pathological acid exposure, and 40 (53.3%) showed pathological bolus exposure. The DeMeester score of patients with pathological acid exposure was higher than that of patients with pathological bolus exposure (P = 0.002). There was no significant difference in age, sex, typical esophageal symptoms, presence of esophageal erosion, esophageal dysmotility, improvement with proton pump inhibitor medication, symptom index ≥50%, percentage of time clearance pH below 4 ≥4%, and all reflux time ≥1.4% in the fasting period between the two groups. When the patients were divided into gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)‐related NCCP and non‐GERD‐related NCCP groups based on MII–pH metering and upper endoscopy, there was no difference between the two groups. Conclusions: Combined impedance–pH monitoring improves the detection and characterization of NCCP. This study suggests that pathological bolus exposure plays a major role in eliciting NCCP.     

Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients with extraesophageal symptoms referred from otolaryngology, allergy, and cardiology practices: a prospective study

AIM: To investigate the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as well as the clinical, endoscopic, and manometric characteristics in 57 adult patients with otolaryngeal symptoms, asthma, or noncardiac chest pain referred from specialized services. METHODS: The following evaluations were performed: (1) upper endoscopy, (2) 24-hour ambulatory esophageal pH monitoring, and (3) esophageal manometry. The prevalence of GERD was determined, and demographic, clinical, endoscopic, and manometric characteristics of patients with or without GERD were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty-four out of 57 patients (60%) had GERD. The 95% confidence interval ranged from 48 to 72%. There was no statistical difference between patients with or without GERD regarding gender, age, or time of evolution of symptoms. Cough was more frequent in the subjects with GERD (75 vs. 25%, p<0.05). Nevertheless, cough was observed in only 53% of the patients with GERD. Patients suffering from laryngitis had a greater proximal and distal esophageal acid exposure time than those without. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of GERD was 60%. There is not a definite demographic or clinical profile that permits us to distinguish between patients with and without GERD among those with ear, nose, and throat and pulmonary symptoms or chest pain.     

Role of clinical presentation in diagnosing reflux-related non-cardiac chest pain

INTRODUCTION: Non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) presents as a frequent diagnostic challenge, with patients tending to use a disproportionate level of health-care resources. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most frequent cause of NCCP. Thus the typical symptoms of reflux, such as heartburn and regurgitation, when present as predominant symptoms are quite specific for diagnosing GERD but in patients with NCCP the clinical diagnosis of reflux is difficult, and invasive methods or the omeprazole test are required for its detection. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of clinical presentation when diagnosing GERD among patients with NCCP. METHODS: Patients with NCCP underwent upper endoscopy, Bernstein and omeprazole tests. The patients were divided into two groups based on GER- or non-GER-related chest pain, and clinical presentation was compared between these two groups. Gastroesophageal reflux disease was considered positive when at least two methods were positive. RESULTS: From 78 NCCP patients (41 male; mean age 50.4 +/- 2.3 years), the chest pain was related to GERD in 35 patients (44.8%). The two groups were the same based on sex and age. The chest pain severity, site, radiation and relation to food, exercise, and sleep were equal in the two groups, except for two symptoms: pain that was relieved by antacid (P < 0.031) and presence of classical reflux symptoms (P < 0.009), seen in the GERD patients. With regard to recent patient history, heartburn and regurgitation symptoms were seen more frequently in GERD patients (P < 0.036 and P < 0.002, respectively). DISCUSSION: Clinical presentation is important in diagnosing GERD in NCCP. Although the chest pain is the same in reflux- and non-reflux-related NCCP, the symptoms of heartburn or regurgitation in the present or recent patient history are diagnostic for GERD-related chest pain.     

Twenty-four-hour ambulatory versus stationary esophageal manometry in the evaluation of esophageal motility in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease

BACKGROUND: Although stationary manometry commonly reveals esophageal body motility disorders in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), esophageal function cannot be fully and precisely assessed during normal daily activities by this investigatory modality. AIM: To compare the results of 24-hour ambulatory manometry with those of stationary manometry and to determine the specificity and accuracy of the former to detect motility disorders in patients with GERD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 15 patients with documented GERD were included in the study. Clinical assessment, upper alimentary endoscopy and stationary manometry as well as 24-hour ambulatory manometry with concomitant 24-hour monitoring of the esophageal pH were performed in each patient. RESULTS: 24-hour ambulatory manometry revealed a significant number of dropped or interrupted esophageal contractions in patients who were found to have only complete peristalsis on stationary manometry. Furthermore, in certain patients, ambulatory manometry detected an increased incidence of dropped or interrupted contractions as compared to those recorded during stationary manometry. Ineffective contractions, suggestive of poor esophageal motility, although absent on stationary manometry, were detected in a large number of patients during a 24-hour period of recording. Also, the amplitude of esophageal contractions was clearly overestimated when evaluated by stationary manometry. CONCLUSIONS: 24-hour ambulatory esophageal manometry reveals esophageal motor abnormalities to a greater extent than those demonstrated at stationary manometry, in patients with GERD. This might be of significance in designing the treatment and predicting possible outcome.     

Twenty-four-hour esophageal pH monitoring: the most useful test for evaluating noncardiac chest pain

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic capabilities of traditional esophageal tests (manometry and provocative testing with acid and edrophonium) and 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring in identifying an esophageal cause of chest pain. DESIGN: A prospective study of 100 consecutive patients referred by cardiologists to the esophageal laboratory for evaluation of esophageal causes of chest pain. SETTING: Tertiary-referral university hospital. METHODS: Esophageal manometry performed with 10 wet swallows of water. Acid perfusion (0.1 N hydrochloric acid) and edrophonium (80 micrograms/kg intravenously) tests were placebo-controlled with a positive study defined as replication of typical chest pain. Esophageal pH monitoring identified (1) abnormal acid exposure times in the upright, supine, or combined position, and (2) correlation between symptoms and acid reflux, i.e., symptom index. The esophagus was identified as "probably" contributing to chest pain only if the acid or edrophonium test was positive or if there was a positive correlation between symptoms and acid reflux during pH monitoring. RESULTS: Esophageal manometry was abnormal in 32 patients (32%), but patients were asymptomatic during the study. The acid perfusion test was positive in 18 of 95 patients (19%), and the edrophonium test was positive in 15 of 78 patients (19%). Abnormal acid exposure times were found in 48 patients (48%). Of the 83 patients with spontaneous chest pain during 24-hour pH testing, 37 patients (46%) had abnormal reflux parameters and 50 patients (60%) had a positive symptom index (mean positive score 56%, range 6% to 100%). CONCLUSIONS: Acid reflux is a common and potentially treatable cause of noncardiac chest pain. Traditional esophageal tests usually miss this diagnosis. Twenty-four-hour esophageal pH monitoring with symptom correlation is the single best test for evaluating patients with noncardiac chest pain.     

Clinical usefulness of subgrouping of patients with non-cardiac chest pain according to characteristic symptoms in Korea

BACKGROUND: Non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) is a heterogeneous disorder. There is controversy about the associations between symptoms and causes in NCCP patients. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of subgrouping according to characteristic symptoms in NCCP patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight patients were classified into two groups, as patients with typical reflux symptoms (group I, n = 24) and those without typical reflux symptoms (group II, n = 34). They underwent upper endoscopy, manometry, and 24-h esophageal pH monitoring. RESULTS: Twenty-four (41%) of the patients were diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) at upper endoscopy or 24-h esophageal pH monitoring. Eleven (19%) were diagnosed with GERD-associated esophageal motility disorder and 13 (22%) were diagnosed with non-GERD-associated esophageal motility disorder. The two groups did not differ significantly in age, sex, weight, smoking history, history of chronic alcoholism, or the severity, duration and frequency of symptoms. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and likelihood ratio of group I for GERD-related NCCP were significantly higher than those of group II. Group I had a higher proportion of patients with GERD-associated esophageal motility disorder (55%) than non-GERD-associated esophageal motility disorder (23%). CONCLUSION: Typical reflux symptoms can be used to distinguish patients with GERD-related NCCP from patients with NCCP, and subgrouping according to characteristic symptoms may assist the diagnosis of these patients in Korea.     

Evaluation of symptom index in identifying gastroesophageal reflux disease-related noncardiac chest pain

BACKGROUND: Symptom index (SI), which represents the percentage of perceived gastroesophageal reflux-related symptoms that correlate with esophageal acid reflux events (pH <4), has been suggested as a measure to improve diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux (GER)-related noncardiac chest pain (NCCP). Because no study has evaluated the value of the symptom index in NCCP patients, data to support this claim have yet to be elucidated. AIM: To evaluate the value of SI in identifying gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)-related NCCP patients. METHODS: Patients enrolled in this study were referred by a cardiologist after a comprehensive work-up excluded a cardiac cause for their chest pain. All patients underwent upper endoscopy to determine esophageal inflammation and 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring to assess esophageal acid exposure. Patients were instructed to record all chest pain episodes during the pH test. Patients with a positive SI (> or =50%) underwent the proton pump inhibitors (PPI) test, which is a therapeutic trial using a short course of high dose PPI. RESULTS: A total of 94 patients with NCCP were included in this study. Forty-seven (50%) had either a positive upper endoscopy or an abnormal pH test and were considered GERD-Positive. Forty-seven patients (50%) had both tests negative and were considered GERD-Negative. Total number of reflux episodes and percent total, supine and upright time pH less than 4, were significantly higher in the GERD-Positive group as compared with the GERD-Negative group (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, P = 0.0045, and P < 0.0001 respectively). Only 9 (19.1%) patients in the GERD-Positive group and 5 (10.6%) patients in the GERD-Negative group had a positive SI (p = ns). Eight (89%) out of the 9 patients who had a positive SI in the GERD-Positive group and 2 (40%) out of 5 patients in the GERD-Negative group responded to the PPI test. CONCLUSION: Positive SI is relatively uncommon in NCCP patients, regardless if GERD is present or absent. Hence, symptom index provides very little improvement in diagnosing GERD-related NCCP.     

Noncardiac chest pain

GOALS: Review of research directions in the etiology, evaluation, and treatment of patients with noncardiac chest pain. The author proposes a combined practical approach to noncardiac chest pain that incorporates these findings, which is useful in a clinical practice setting. BACKGROUND: Several major schools of thought have emerged in the etiology of noncardiac chest pain: acid reflux, motor disorder, altered pain threshold/hypersensitivity, and association with psychiatric dysfunction. There is significant overlap among these. Occult gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is more common than motor disorders and is found in 30% to 40% of these patients; a subset has hypersensitivity, with a normal pH profile. Esophageal motility testing and endoscopy have a more limited role than 24-hour pH testing. Impedance planimetry and balloon sensory provocative testing remain research tools. Provocative testing with hydrochloric acid or edrophonium is less helpful than pH monitoring. Gastroesophageal reflux disease-induced chest pain requires high-dose long-term proton pump inhibitors (PPIs): at least 4 to 8 weeks. Psychotropics are superior to placebo, both in patients with and without psychiatric dysfunction. RESULTS: The author found combined PPIs and psychotropics helpful in patients with esophageal hypersensitivity and GERD, although supporting data is scant. CONCLUSIONS: A brief 1-week high-dose PPI challenge, i.e., omeprazole test, may be cost-effective in a primary care setting. However, this approach may not be useful in a referral setting, where pH data and diary assessment of associated symptoms provide useful management help. A behavioral model approach, with early emphasis on patient education, integrated with physiologic data helps the most.     

Comparison of central and intraesophageal factors between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients and those with GERD‐related noncardiac chest pain

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) causes a wide range of symptoms. Some patients present with typical symptoms such as heartburn and regurgitation and others with atypical symptoms such as chest pain. The mechanism responsible for the varying clinical presentation of GERD is still not fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate differences in central and local intraesophageal factors between patients with typical GERD symptoms and those with noncardiac chest pain (NCCP). Patients presenting with typical and atypical symptoms suspicious of GERD underwent upper endoscopy and 24‐hour pH monitoring with four sensors, each positioned at a different esophageal level. All patients completed GERD symptom, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Symptom Stress Rating questionnaires. From January 2006 to December 2009, 50 patients were recruited, 29 with typical symptoms, and 21 with NCCP. Patients with proven GERD and NCCP had higher proximal extension of acid during reflux episodes than patients with typical symptoms. They were found to be older, had a shorter history of symptom onset, worse anxiety scores, and more endoscopic findings compatible with gastritis. Proximal extension of acid during the reflux episodes in patients with GERD presenting with NCCP may play a role in symptom generation.     

Symptom priority ranking in the care of gastroesophageal reflux: a review of 1,850 cases

BACKGROUND: Clinical history remains an important part of the medical evaluation of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Heartburn, regurgitation, and dysphagia are considered typical symptoms of GERD. Priority rankings of these symptoms can be determined with a standardized questionnaire. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether symptom priority ranking and symptom severity grading can provide useful information in the evaluation of patients with GERD. METHODS: From 1,850 patients that were analyzed retrospectively, patients with dysphagia unrelated to GERD were excluded. A standardized questionnaire was applied before each patient underwent any esophageal diagnostic study. Priority of symptoms was determined to be primary, secondary, tertiary, or none based on the patient response to the questionnaire. Presence of a stricture was determined either by endoscopy, esophagraphy, or both studies. Stationary esophageal manometry and 24-hour pH monitoring were performed on all patients. Through bivariate and multivariate analysis, the relationships among typical GERD symptoms, esophageal reflux-related stenosis, lower esophageal sphincter pressure, and composite score were established. RESULTS: High priority ranking of the symptom dysphagia is predictive of the presence of an esophageal stricture, but has a negative association with abnormal manometric and pH studies. In contrast, high priority ranking of the symptom heartburn and regurgitation are positively associated with abnormal manometric and pH results. CONCLUSIONS: Priority ranking can be a valuable adjunct to objective testing in the evaluation of GERD. In certain clinical situations it can obviate the need for 24-hour pH monitoring.     

Angina-like chest pain and exertional esophageal ph monitoring]

OBJECTIVES: Spontaneous chest pain attacks are uncommon during 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring in patients suffering from angina-like chest pain suspected to be acid-related. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of exertional esophageal pH monitoring and to prove that exercise testing induces chest pain and gastro-esophageal reflux and therefore improves symptomatic correlation study. METHODS: Forty three patients suffering from angina-like chest pain underwent treadmill exercise testing during a 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring. Symptom analysis was made using the symptom-association probability described by Weusten. RESULTS: During the 24-hour pH monitoring, 10 patients (23%) had a pathologic esophageal acid exposure, 20 (46%) experienced chest pain and 3 (7%) had a symptom association probability > 95%. During the exercise testing on a treadmill, 19 patients (44%) had gastro-esophageal reflux, and 14 (32%) experienced chest pain, coinciding with a gastro-esophageal reflux in 8 (19%). After exercise testing, the symptom-association probability analysis was significantly changed in 9 patients (21%), > 95% in 6 patients (14%). CONCLUSION: Exercise testing on a treadmill induces chest pain episodes during a 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring and therefore improves symptomatic correlation study in patients suffering from angina-like chest pain.     

胃食管反流病患者酸反流与食管运动功能障碍的关系

背景：异常酸反流和食管运动功能障碍与胃食管反流病（GERD）密切相关。目的：研究GERD患者的食管运动和酸反流与食管黏膜损害的关系，以及两者之间的相关性。方法：选取有反酸、烧心、胸痛等典型胃食管反流症状的患者72例行上消化道内镜检查、食管测压和24hpH监测。根据pH〈4总时间百分比〈4．5％且DeMeester计分〈14．7的标准。将食管炎患者分为生理性酸反流组（pH^-组）和病理性酸反流组（pH^＋组）。结果：内镜下食管炎组24hpH监测各项指标较无食管炎组显著增高（P〈0．05），病理性酸反流的发生率显著高于无食管炎组（P〈0．01）。两组食管测压各项指标无显著差异，食管炎组pH^＋者的食管下括约肌压力（LESP）较pH^-者显著降低，食管体部蠕动波传导速度减慢，湿咽成功率减少（P〈0．05）。结论：GERD患者食管炎的发生与酸反流密切相关，有病理性酸反流的GERD患者易见食管运动功能障碍。     

Effects of Omeprazole Versus Placebo in Treatment of Noncardiac Chest Pain and Gastroesophageal Reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) occurs in 22-66%of patients with noncardiac chest pain (NCCP). Althoughopen-label investigations have shown beneficial effectsof antireflux therapy in NCCP, no double-blind, prospective, placebo-controlled studies havebeen conducted. The purpose of this study was toevaluate the effects of omeprazole compared to placeboin a prospective, double-blind, randomized trial ofpatients with NCCP and GER. Thirty-six consecutivepatients with NCCP and GER documented by 24-hrambulatory pH testing entered this study. The subjectswere randomized to omeprazole, 20 mg by mouth twice aday (17 patients), or placebo (19 patients) foreight weeks. Patients on omeprazole obtainedsignificantly more improvement in the fraction of chestpain days (P = 0.006) and severity (P = 0.032) whencompared to placebo. More patients in the omeprazolegroup reported improvement in individual daily painscores (81% vs 44%, P = 0.03) and individual severityscores (81% vs 50%, P = 0.057). Thirteen (81%) of the subjects in the treatment arm reported overallsymptomatic improvement versus one (6%) in the placebogroup (P = 0.001). The results of this study indicatethat acid suppression with omeprazole effectively improves chest pain in patients with NCCP andGER.