Abnormal oesophageal pH-monitoring in patients with functional thoracic and abdominal disorders.
OBJECTIVE
Controversial data are reported on the diagnostic yield of oesophageal pH-monitoring in clinical routine. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic importance of oesophageal pH-monitoring in the work-up of functional thoraco-abdominal disorders.


METHODS
The prevalence of abnormalities in pH-monitoring was evaluated in 238 patients with functional complaints: typical reflux symptoms (n = 56), non-cardiac chest pain (n = 98), non-ulcer dyspepsia (n = 52), and unclassifiable abdominal pain (n = 32). A symptom index was calculated for reflux-related symptoms in patients experiencing symptoms during the measurement (n = 74).


RESULTS
The rate of patients with an abnormal pH-monitoring were in patients with reflux symptoms non-cardiac chest pain, non-ulcer dyspepsia and unclassified abdominal pain 55, 50, 44 and 34%, respectively. A symptom index of at least 50% was observed in 77, 55, 50 and 60% in the four groups respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The high rate of abnormal oesophageal pH-monitoring and symptom related reflux events in the investigated patients emphasizes the importance of 24-hour oesophageal pH-measurement in the diagnostic work-up of functional thoracic and abdominal disorders.
Pehl
C
C
II Medical Department, Hospital München-Bogenhausen, Germany.
Wendl
B
B
Greiner
I
I
Pfeiffer
A
A
Kaess
H
H
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013896:Thoracic Diseases / Q000209:etiology*