[Comparison of the endoscopic aspect of the cardia, manometry and 24 hours pH measurement in patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux].
BACKGROUND
The endoscopic view of the gastric cardia could be related with the manometric competence of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and with pathological gastroesophageal reflux.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the endoscopic aspect of the cardia with the results from esophageal manometry and 24 h esophageal pH monitoring.


METHODS
The cardia of a group of 150 patients (aged 19 to 72 years, 89 women) with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms was classified as normal or open, during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. All subjects were subjected to a manometric study to measure LES pressure and determine LES incompetence and to a 24 h esophageal pH measurement.


RESULTS
LES pressure was 14.7+/-6.2 and 8.7+/-4.2 mmHg in patients with normal and open cardia, respectvively (p <0.001). Likewise, 43 and 79% of patients with normal and open cardia had an incompetent LES, respectively (p <0.001). Pathological acid reflux was present in 43 and 71% of patients with normal or open cardia, respectively (p <0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The endoscopic appearance of the cardia can identify patients with pathological gastroesophageal reflux.
Falavigna
Manlio
M
Departamento de Cirugía, Hospital Clínico, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Csendes
Attila
A
Henríquez
Ana
A
Luengas
Rafael
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002299:Cardia / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies