Acid, weakly acidic and non-acid gastro-oesophageal reflux: differences, prevalence and clinical relevance.
In patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), oesophageal symptoms and mucosal damage traditionally are related to acid-reflux episodes with pH lower than 4. Oesophageal or extra-oesophageal symptoms of GORD may also be associated with less acidic reflux (pH 4-7). New methodologies have evolved to complement pH monitoring for characterisation of less acidic gastro-oesophageal reflux. This review will focus on definition, detection, pathophysiology and symptom association of weakly acidic and non-acid reflux, in both adult and paediatric populations.
Sifrim
Daniel
D
Centre for Gastroenterological Research, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. daniel.sifrim@med.kuleuven.ac.be
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003938:Diagnostic Techniques, Digestive System; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D015995:Prevalence