title: Alkaline intra-oesophageal pH and gastro-oesophageal reflux in patients with peptic oesophagitis.
abstract: Simultaneous 22-h measurements of intra-oesophageal and intragastric pH were made in 22 patients with symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux (7 with peptic oesophagitis, 8 with peptic oesophageal stricture, and 7 with peptic oesophagitis and previous partial gastrectomy) to determine whether alkaline intra-oesophageal pH is a consequence of alkaline gastro-oesophageal reflux. In the three groups of patients intra-oesophageal pH was greater than 7 for 16.9 +/- 4.8%, 27.5 +/- 7.6%, and 21.0 +/- 7.7%, respectively, of total recording time (p = NS). Intragastric pH greater than 7 was recorded only in the patients with partial gastrectomy (10.3 +/- 5.3% of recording time; p less than 0.01 in comparison with the other groups). Elevations of intra-oesophageal pH to greater than 7 never occurred during episodes of alkalinization of intragastric pH. These results suggest that refluxed fluids are unlikely to be the cause of alkaline intra-oesophageal pH in patients with peptic oesophagitis.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Central Middlesex Hospital, London, U.K.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Penagini
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yuen
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Misiewicz
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Bianchi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004942:Esophagitis, Peptic / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000503:physiopathology; D005122:Exudates and Transudates / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D005750:Gastric Juice / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged