Acid perfusion test and 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring with symptom index

The acid perfusion (Bernstein) test and esophageal pH monitoring are the two most popular tests for identifying esophageal acid sensitivity in difficult cases of reflux disease. Therefore, we prospectively compared these test results in 75 consecutive noncardiac chest pain patients who had both an acid perfusion test and chest pain during 24-hr pH testing. A positive acid perfusion test was defined by the replication of the patient's typical chest pain twice by the acid infusion. Esophageal pH testing identified abnormal amounts of acid reflux and correlated symptoms with acid reflux-the symptom index. Fifteen patients (20%) had a positive acid perfusion test while 45 patients (59%) had a positive symptom index (range 6–100%). Only 9/34 (26%) patients with abnormal reflux had a positive acid perfusion test. Although it had excellent specificity (83–94%), the acid perfusion test had poor sensitivity (32–46%) when compared to the symptom index regardless of the percent positive cutoff level. The best positive predictive value for the acid perfusion test was 87%, but this occurred when the test sensitivity was 32%. Modifying the end point of a positive acid perfusion test to include heartburn improves the sensitivity (52–67%) while markedly compromising specificity and positive predictive value. Thus, esophageal pH monitoring correlating symptoms with acid reflux is superior to the acid perfusion test for identifying an acid sensitive esophagus in patients with noncardiac chest pain.     

Dynamic position versus 24-hour pH testing for detection of esophageal acid reflux disease

Although the 24-hour pH test is currently considered the gold standard for the determination of significant esophageal acid reflux disease, it is a problematic study, requiring multiple manipulations for interpretation. Dynamic position testing has recently been described as an alternative method of detecting significant esophageal acid reflux disease. In this initial comparative study, dynamic position testing was at least as reliable as 24-hour pH testing, required much less time, and provided additional useful information.     

无效食管动力对伴呼吸道症状胃食管反流病发病机制及临床意义的研究

目的 观察伴有呼吸道症状的胃食管反流病(GERD)患者食管动力异常的类型及发生率,探讨无效食管动力(IEM)在其发病机制中的作用及临床意义.方法 应用多功能胃肠动力仪对首都医科大学附属北京朝阳医院2005年1月至2007年1月收治的34例伴有哮喘、慢性咳嗽和咽喉部不适等呼吸道症状的GERD患者进行食管压力测定及24h食管动态pH监测,测定下食管括约肌(LES)压力、食管体部蠕动波幅、蠕动时限及蠕动速度,计算pH＜4的时间百分比,卧位及立位pH＜4的时间百分比,平均食管酸清除时间(pH＜4的时间/酸反流次数),算出DeMeester评分.结果 伴有呼吸道症状GERD组LES压力及食管近端、远端蠕动波幅与典型反流症状GERD组及正常对照组比差异无统计学意义;伴有呼吸道症状CERD组的食管动力异常类型主要表现为IEM,IEM发生率为41.2%,明显高于典型反流症状GERD组(18.5%)及正常对照组(0);在伴有呼吸道症状GERD患者中,存在IEM组患者食管pH＜4的总时间百分比及立、卧位食管pH＜4的时间百分比均明显高于食管动力正常组;IEM组患者卧位食管酸清除时间(pH＜4的时间/酸反流次数)较食管动力正常组明显延长.结论 在伴有呼吸道症状GERD患者中,IEM是其最常见的动力异常类型;IEM与食管内酸暴露总时间及立、卧位时间,卧位食管酸清除时间均密切相关,因此,IEM在伴有呼吸道症状GERD患者的发病机制中起重要作用.     

Impact of 24-h esophageal pH monitoring on the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease: defining the gold standard

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The tests that are currently available for the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) lack the desired diagnostic accuracy. To date, only pH monitoring has been shown to have a good sensitivity and specificity, but recent studies have failed to confirm this. Thus there is a need to find a test with acceptable sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing GERD. The present study aimed to find a single test or a combination of tests that could serve as a gold standard for the diagnosis of GERD and to identify an evidence-based diagnostic work-up for GERD in clinical and research settings. METHODS: A prospectively conducted masked study was carried out in which 109 GERD patients were recruited on the basis of symptom score evaluation (heartburn and/or regurgitation). After informed consent was given, the patients underwent various tests, including esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsy from the lower esophageal mucosa during the first visit, followed by omeprazole challenge test (OCT), radionuclide scintigraphy, barium swallow and finally 24-h esophageal pH monitoring. A positive concordance of three or more tests was taken as the gold standard. RESULTS: The results of all six tests were available for 70 patients. As a single diagnostic test, pH testing had the best combination of sensitivity and specificity (Youden's J = 0.69). Even in cases of endoscopy-negative reflux disease, pH monitoring was the most sensitive and specific test (93.3% and 90.4%, respectively; J = 0.83). OCT, endoscopy and histopathology also had good sensitivity (84.4%, 64.4%, 82.2%, respectively). A combination of OCT, endoscopy and histopathology achieved a sensitivity of 100%. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of OCT, endoscopy and histology will identify all cases of GERD. As these investigations are easily available, they should form the diagnostic work-up in clinical situations. 24-h esophageal pH testing, despite being the gold standard, has no utility in routine clinical settings and hence its availability should be limited to tertiary care settings.     

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy with conscious sedation does not interfere with catheter-based 24-h pH monitoring

AIM:To investigate the impact of esophagogastroduodenoscopy with conscious sedation on the subsequent 24-h catheter-based pH monitoring.METHODS:Fifty patients with extra-esophageal symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease undergoing ambulatory dual-probe 24-h pH monitoring were enrolled from March 2010 to August 2011.All of the data were collected prospectively and analyzed retrospectively.Thirty-six patients(72%,group A) underwent pH monitoring shortly after esophagogastroduodenoscopy(EGD) with conscious sedation,and 14 patients(28%,group B) underwent pH monitoring without conscious sedation.The 24-h pH data from two time periods were analyzed:the first 4 h(Period Ⅰ) and the remaining time of the study(Period Ⅱ).RESULTS:The mean age of the patients was 49.6 ± 12.5 years;20 patients(40%) were men.The baseline data,including age,sex,body mass index,reflux esophagitis,the Reflux Symptom Index,and the Reflux Findings Score,were comparable between the two groups.The percentage of total time with a pH < 4 and the frequency of acid reflux during Period Ⅰ were not significantly different between the two groups,as measured using both pharyngeal(0.03% ± 0.10% vs 0.07% ± 0.16%,P = 0.32;and 0.07 ± 0.23 episodes/h vs 0.18 ± 0.47 episodes/h,P = 0.33,respectively) and esophageal probes(0.96% ± 1.89% vs 0.42% ± 0.81%,P = 0.59;and 0.74 ± 1.51 episodes/h vs 0.63 ± 0.97 episodes/h,P = 0.49,respectively).The percentage of total time with a pH < 4 and the frequency of acid reflux were also not significantly different between Periods I and Ⅱ in group A patients,as measured using both pharyngeal(0.03% ± 0.10% vs 0.23% ± 0.85%,P = 0.21;and 0.07 ± 0.23 episodes/h vs 0.29 ± 0.98 episodes/h,P = 0.22,respectively) and esophageal probes(0.96% ± 1.89% vs 1.11% ± 2.57%,P = 0.55;and 0.74 ± 1.51 episodes/h vs 0.81 ± 1.76 episodes/h,P = 0.55,respectively).CONCLUSION:EGD with conscious sedation does not interfere with the results of subsequent 24-h pH monitoring in patients with extra-esophageal symptoms of gast     

Transcutaneous cervical esophagus ultrasound in adults： Relation with ambulatory 24-h pH-monitoring and esophageal manometry

AIM To determine the gastroesophageal refluxate in the cervical esophagus (CE) and measure transcutaneous cervical esophageal ultrasound (TCEUS) findings [anterior wall thickness (WT) of CE, esophageal luminal diameter (ELD), esophageal diameter (ED)]; to compare TCEUS findings in the patient subgroups divided according to 24-h esophageal pH monitoring and manometry; and to investigate possible cut-off values according to the TCEUS findings as a predictor of gastroesophageal reflux (GER).METHODS In 45/500 patients, refluxate was visualized in TCEUS. 38/45 patients underwent esophagogastroduo denoscopy (EGD), 24-h pH monitoring and manometry.RESULTS The 38 patients were grouped according to 24-h pH monitoring as follows Group A GER-positive (n = 20) [Includes Group B isolated proximal reflux (PR) (n = 6), Group C isolated distal reflux (DR) (n = 6),and Group D both PR/DR (n = 8)]; Group E no reflux (n = 13); and Group F hypersensitive esophagus (HSE) (n= 5). Groups B D indicated total PR patients (n = 14),Groups E F reflux-negatives with HSE (n = 18), and Groups A F reflux-positives with HSE (n = 25). When the 38 patients were grouped according to manometry findings, 24 had normal esophageal manometry; 7 had hypotensive and 2 had hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter (LES); and 5 had ineffective esophageal motility disorder (IEM). The ELD measurement was greater in group A F than group E (P = 0.023, 5.0 ± 1.3 vs 3.9 ± 1.4 mm). In 27/38 patients, there was at least one pathologic acid reflux and/or pathologic manometry finding. The cut-off value for ELD of 4.83 mm had 79% sensitivity and 61% specificity in predicting the PR between Groups B D and E (AUC = 0.775, P = 0.015).CONCLUSION Visualizing refluxate in TCEUS was useful as a pre-diagnostic tool for estimating GER or manometric pathology in 71.1% of adults in our study,but it was not diagnostic for CE WT.     

Validation of a new method of measuring esophageal acid exposure: comparison with 24-hour pH monitoring

Recently, we developed a disposable acid exposure sensor whose in vitro response to acid below pH 4 is linearly determined by the duration of exposure and the degree of acidity. The aim of the present study was to compare the SR to simultaneous esophageal pH and duodenogastroesophageal reflux (DGER) monitoring (Bilitec) in patients investigated for presumed gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Twenty-six patients (16 men, mean age 46 ± 2 years) with symptoms suggestive of GERD underwent 24-hr ambulatory pH monitoring and SR monitoring at 5 cm proximal to the LES. DGER monitoring was performed in 21 patients. Exposure of the esophagus to acid and to DGER were analyzed. These data were compared to SR. A significant correlation was found between the exposure of the distal esophagus to acid and SR (R = 0.85; P < 0.0001). Similarly, the area below a cutoff pH 4 was significantly correlated to SR (r = 0.81; P < 0.0001). SR was not correlated to DGER (r = 0.16; NS). At a cutoff of 50, the sensitivity and specificity of SR to predict esophageal acid exposure >5% of time were 91% and 93%, respectively conclusion, the response of the acid exposure sensor is strongly correlated with the results of simultaneous esophageal pH monitoring. The sensor seems able to reliably predict pathological esophageal acid exposure. These findings warrant larger studies of the clinical potential of the acid exposure sensor in the diagnosis and quantification of GERD.     

Predicting the efficacy of proton pump inhibitors in patients with non-erosive reflux disease before therapy using dual-channel 24-h esophageal pH monitoring

Background and Aim: We aimed to determine whether reflux‐ and symptom‐related parameters can predict the efficacy of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) in non‐erosive reflux disease (NERD). Methods: Twenty‐seven NERD patients who had experienced heartburn more than once a week within the previous month were enrolled. Intraesophageal pH before therapy was measured simultaneously at 5 and 15 cm above the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) for 24 h. The PPI rabeprazole was administered at a dose of 10 mg once daily for 4 weeks. In the event that heartburn was not relieved, the dose was increased to 10 mg twice daily for an additional 2 weeks, and again to 20 mg twice daily for another 2 weeks. Results: Univariate analysis demonstrated no significant associations between any reflux‐ or symptom‐related parameters at either site and complete heartburn relief after 4 weeks, or cumulative complete heartburn relief after 8 weeks. However, post‐hoc analysis demonstrated more satisfactory heartburn relief after 4 weeks in patients with a high symptom index compared with those with a low symptom index, at 5 cm above the EGJ (P = 0.009). Cumulative satisfactory heartburn relief after 8 weeks was also greater in patients with a high total number of acid reflux episodes compared with those with a low total number of episodes, at 15 cm above the EGJ (P = 0.037). Conclusions: Pre‐therapeutic pH monitoring in the lower and mid‐esophagus is useful for predicting the efficacy of PPI in NERD patients.     

Chronic hoarseness secondary to gastroesophageal reflux disease: documentation with 24-h ambulatory pH monitoring

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) has been implicated in otolaryngologic problems, particularly chronic hoarseness that cannot be attributed to other causes. To study this relationship, we used 24-h ambulatory intraesophageal or dual pharyngoesophageal pH monitoring in 33 patients with chronic hoarseness and laryngeal lesions suggestive of acid irritation. Twenty-six of the patients (78.8%) had pH evidence of severe GER, being at least three times greater than the upper limit of normal. In contrast to 19 patients with proven esophagitis, this GER was worse in the upright position. Of 15 patients with both pharyngeal and esophageal probes, three had esophagopharyngeal reflux, and two had atypical unexplained pharyngeal decreases in pH to below 4.0. Less than half of the 33 patients had the typical symptoms of GER, and standard esophageal tests usually yielded normal findings. Occult GER, predominantly in the upright position, appears to be common and severe in patients with chronic hoarseness, who have laryngeal lesions suggestive of GER. The causative mechanisms are not clear. The 24-h esophageal pH monitor is useful in screening this potentially treatable problem.     

The symptom index: progress in the analysis of esophageal pH metry

Commercially available pH-monitoring systems include one or more event markers which should allow correlation between reflux episodes and symptoms. However, the clinical relevance of this feature has not yet been thoroughly investigated. In this prospective study, we attempted to establish whether the use of an event marker could improve the accuracy of intraesophageal pH-monitoring and if a correlation between symptoms, as detected by event markers and esophageal exposure to acid could be shown. One hundred seven patients were studied. Only 47 p. 100 used the event marker during 24 h pH-metry. There was no statistical significance in the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux (GER i.e. time spent below pH 4 greater than 4.2 p. 100), age and socioeconomic status between patients who used the marker and those who did not. A concordance index was calculated by dividing the number of reflux episodes associated with a marked event by the total number of marked events. In 50 p. 100 of the 16 patients who used the marker and had GER, the concordance index was greater than 75 p. 100. On the contrary, only 4 out of 35 patients without GER had a concordance index greater than 75 p. 100 (p less than 0.003). Finally, the index was less than 25 p. 100 in 4 patients with GER and in 22 without GER (p less than 0.02). The lowest pH reached within the esophagus was virtually identical during all the reflux episodes, regardless of marker pressing.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Chronic alcoholism and esophageal motor activity: a 24-h ambulatory manometry study

BACKGROUND: Stationary esophageal manometry has shown esophageal motor abnormalities in patients with chronic alcoholism. The abnormalities identified in different studies are not consistent. Twenty-four hour ambulatory esophageal manometry enables monitoring of esophageal motor activity under a variety of physiological conditions and gives a more complete assessment. METHOD: Twenty-four hour ambulatory esophageal manometry and pH-metry were performed using a combined pH and pressure catheter. Subjects with chronic alcoholism with no other illness and not in withdrawal were studied with age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Autonomic nerve functions tests were performed in all subjects. RESULTS: Twenty-three chronic alcoholic subjects and 12 control subjects completed the study. The median ethanol consumption was 95 g/day (range 75 -175 g/day) for 12 years (range 5-30 years) among alcoholic subjects. Eight alcoholic subjects had heartburn and regurgitation but none had dysphagia. Ten (43%) alcoholic subjects had autonomic neuropathy and four (17%) had increased gastroesophageal acid reflux. Lower esophageal sphincter hypertension was observed in alcoholic subjects with autonomic neuropathy. Esophageal body motility parameters (i.e. frequency, duration, amplitude and percentage of peristaltic waves) were not significantly different between alcoholic subjects and controls. CONCLUSIONS: Results of ambulatory esophageal manometry on subjects with chronic alcoholism seem to indicate that long-term ethanol intake has no major effects on esophageal motor activity other than lower esophageal sphincter hypertension among those with alcoholic autonomic neuropathy.     

What is the optimal time window in symptom analysis of 24-hour esophageal pressure and pH data?

Since noncardiac chest pain is the only well-established indication for 24-hr esophageal pH and pressure recording, the analysis of the association between chest pain episodes and esophageal motility abnormalities or reflux is the most important part of data analysis in 24-hr monitoring. Until now, different time windows have arbitrarily been used by various research groups. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal time window for symptom analysis in 24-hr esophageal pH and pressure monitoring. For this purpose repetitive symptom association analysis was carried out, using time windows of various onsets and durations. For each time window, the symptom indices for reflux and dysmotility were calculated. The symptom index for both reflux and dysmotility showed a gradual increase for windows with increasingly early onset, following a pattern that would be predicted on the basis of Poisson's theory. However, both indices had a relatively sharp cutoff point at 2 min before the onset of pain. Both indices only showed a predictable gradual increase when the time window starting at –2 min was extended beyond the moment of pain onset. It is concluded that the optimal time window for symptom analysis in 24-hr esophageal pH and pressure recording begins at 2 min before the onset of pain and ends at the onset of pain.     

Gastroesophageal reflux before and after Helicobacter pylori eradication. A prospective study using ambulatory 24-h esophageal pH monitoring

The aim of this study was to assess prevalence of GERD before and after Helicobacter pylori (HP) eradication utilizing 24-h esophageal pH/manometry studies. Helicobacter pylori status was confirmed by the Campylobacter like organism test. Those testing positive underwent 24-h pH/manometry followed by HP eradication therapy and urea breath test. Patients were followed up at 6 months and then at 1 year when they underwent a repeat 24-h pH/manometry. Twenty patients, 10 with non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) and 10 with duodenal ulcer (DU) were enrolled, though only 10 patients attended for a repeat 24-h pH/manometry study. The patients were well matched, though patients with NUD had a significantly higher symptom score at entry compared with the DU group (8.5 vs 5.7, P < 0.05). The pH and esophageal manometry data were similar in the two groups. Overall nine patients (45%; DU = 5, NUD = 4) had evidence of GERD prior to HP eradication and it persisted one year after cure of the infection. The reflux disease occurred in the presence of normal LES pressure (mean 15.6 +/- 3.3 mmHg). New onset GERD was uncommon after cure of HP infection, occurring in only one patient with NUD. Overall HP eradication had no impact on percentage of time pH < 4 (4.69 +/- 3 vs 4.79 +/- 3), episodes > 5 min (9.8 +/- 16 vs 15.5 +/- 25.3) and Johnson DeMeester Score (16.8 +/- 7.5 vs 26.8 +/- 18). In addition successful cure of HP produced no significant changes in LES pressure (17.9 +/- 3.8 mmHg vs 19.3 +/- 4.6 mmHg), and other esophageal manometry data. Half of HP-positive patients with NUD and DU have evidence of GERD before HP eradication. This persists after successful cure of the infection. New onset GERD occurs very uncommonly one year after HP eradication.     

A prospective study of oesophageal 24-h ambulatory pH monitoring in patients with functional dyspepsia

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic utility of 24-h oesophageal ambulatory pH monitoring in patients with functional dyspepsia has not been well established. AIMS: We performed a prospective study of oesophageal pH monitoring in patients with functional dyspepsia in order to assess whether a positive pH test might predict response to proton pump inhibitor therapy in a subset of functional dyspepsia patients. PATIENTS: Forty Helicobacter pylori-negative functional dyspepsia patients (35 males and 5 females, mean age (+/-S.E.M.) of 54+/-2.4 years) with predominantly unspecified dyspepsia subtype and normal distal oesophageal biopsies. METHODS: All subjects were randomised in a double-blind fashion to either omeprazole 20 mg/day or placebo daily for four weeks after 24-h pH monitoring. RESULTS: Twenty-four-hour pH monitoring was abnormal in 9 of the 21 patients (43%) in the omeprazole group and 5/19 (26%) of the placebo group (p=NS). Patients who reported symptomatic improvement on the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale were no more likely to have abnormal scores on pH monitoring than patients who did not have symptomatic response. CONCLUSIONS: Although approximately one-third of functional dyspepsia patients will have abnormal profiles on 24-h ambulatory oesophageal pH monitoring, an abnormal score does not appear to predict response to proton pump inhibitor therapy in patients with unspecified functional dyspepsia.     

Nocturnal acid breakthrough: clinical significance and correlation with esophageal acid exposure

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies suggest that the addition of H2 receptor antagonist (H2RA) therapy is more effective than proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy alone in reducing nocturnal acid breakthrough (NAB). However, the clinical significance of NAB with respect to esophageal acid control has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate prospectively the degree of upright and supine esophageal and gastric acid suppression using various PPI regimens in comparison to the addition of an H2RA at bedtime. METHODS: A total of 22 subjects (13 with gastroesophageal reflux disease and nine who served as control subjects) were prospectively evaluated by serial combined esophageal and gastric 24-h pH monitoring. Studies were performed at baseline off antireflux medical therapy and subsequent to completion of the following four drug regimens: 1) omeprazole 20 mg b.i.d. for 2 wk; 2) omeprazole 20 mg b.i.d. plus ranitidine 300 mg HS for 4 wk; 3) omeprazole 20 mg QAM and QHS for 2 wk; and 4) omeprazole 20 mg every 8 h for 2 wk. A dual pH probe was placed 5 cm above and 10 cm below the manometrically defined LES for a minimum of 18 h. Median total, upright, and supine pH values were compared among treatment regimens. All subjects underwent Helicobacter pylori serology testing. RESULTS: A total of 17 men and eight women (mean age 37 yr +/- 2.4 yr, range 22-71 yr) were enrolled in the study. Total, upright, and supine median percentage of the time that gastric pH was <4 were significantly less than baseline values in all treatment regimens. Although patients treated with Q8 h omeprazole had significantly (p < 0.01) more gastric acid suppression, there was a high degree of overlap among regimens. Treatment regimens resulted in NAB elimination of 9-41%. However, no single treatment regimen resulted in more significant NAB suppression than the others. Despite continued NAB with all treatment regimens, esophageal acid reflux (90%) and patient symptoms (100%) were well controlled. In addition, there were no differences in the esophageal median percentage of time that pH was <4 for any treatment regimen. CONCLUSIONS: NAB is an isolated gastric phenomenon that is poorly controlled even with most aggressive acid suppressive therapy. Esophageal acid suppression and symptom control are not dependent on the degree of NAB elimination.     

Characteristics of symptomatic GERD in Japanese patients based on 24-h pH monitoring

Background We assessed the characteristics of symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease (sGERD), defined as the presence of symptoms, but no endoscopic findings of reflux esophagitis, in Japanese.Methods Sixty-three patients were diagnosed with sGERD, and underwent 24-h esophagogastric pH monitoring (32 men; mean age, 50.5 years). Patients were classified into the following three groups : reflux group (group R), minor reflux group (group MR), and a no-reflux group (group N) by the percentage of time at pH below 4 (group R, 4.0% or more; group MR, 2.0%–3.9%; group N, 0–1.9%). Hiatal hernia was assessed based on the Anatomy-Function-Pathology (AFP) classification, and the shape of the cardia was assessed based on valve factors (V0–V3).Results There were 13 patients (21%) in group R, 17 (27%) in group MR, and 33 (52%) in group N. Hiatal hernia was present in 11 patients (85%) in group R, 14 (82%) in group MR, and 22 (67%) in group N. Patients grouped according to presence of V2/V3 (chalasia) accounted for 100% of those in group R, 71% of those in group MR and 70% of those in group N. Hiatal hernia was present in 10 (91%), 10 (83%), and 6 patients (86%) who had 50 or more episodes of esophageal acid reflux per day in group R, group MR, and group N, respectively.Conclusions Reflux (percentage of time below pH 4, 4%) was seen in only about 20% of the patients with sGERD, and this percentage of patients with reflux was lower compared to the data reported from the United States and Europe. The percentage of patients who had a hiatal hernia or chalasia was high in all these groups, and this seemed to be a characteristic cause of sGERD in Japanese.     

41例老年人胃食管反流病24小时食管pH测定结果分析

目的探讨老年人食管酸暴露频率强度与胃食管反流病的关系。方法应用食管ｐＨ测定方法，对４１例有胃食管反流症状者和１５例健康老年人进行２４小时食管ｐＨ监测。结果健康老年人ｐＨ＜４的总时间百分比＜３３％，立位ｐＨ＜４时间百分比＜５５％，反流＞５分钟次数＜２次，ｐＨ＜４反流次数＜６５次，但卧位ｐＨ＜４时间百分比为＜１４％。４１例有胃食管反流症状者中，３８例酸反流得分＞１４５，包括１５例内镜下无食管炎征象者，阳性率达９２５％。根据内镜下有无食管炎，比较食管粘膜损伤组与无食管粘膜损伤组之间各项ｐＨ指标的异同。可见ｐＨ＜４的总时间百分比、卧位ｐＨ＜４时间百分比和持续反流＞５分钟次数有明显不同。结论老年人食管粘膜暴露频率时间与胃食管反流病的严重程度有关。     

50名正常中国成人食管24小时pH监测结果分析

为获得我国正常成人食管酸暴露的正常值范围，对５ｏ名健康成人进行２４小时ｐＨ监测。结果显示：５ｏ名正常成人中平均９８．６％的时间食管ｐＨ＞４，故以ｐＨ４作为酸反流的阈值。观察６项食管酸暴露的指标，得出９５％的正常值范围：ｐＨ＜４的总时间百分率为３．４％；ｐＨ＜４的立位总时间百分率为４，３％；ｐＨ＜４的卧位总时间百分率为４．３％；反流持续≥５分钟的次数≥２次；最长反流持续时间１６分钟；ｐＨ＜４的反流次数为６ｏ次；总计分１２．７分。门诊与住院检查结果比较，二者差异无显著性（ｐ＞０．０５）。本结果与国外资料不同，可能与种族、地区差异、人群生活习惯、饮食结构的不同或ＬＥＳ功能等有关。