Air swallowing, belching, acid and non-acid reflux in patients with functional dyspepsia.
BACKGROUND
Frequent belching is a common symptom in patients with functional dyspepsia with a reported incidence up to 80%. We hypothesized that patients with functional dyspepsia possibly have a higher frequency of belching than healthy subjects secondary to frequent air swallowing.


OBJECTIVE
To assess air swallowing, belching, acid and non-acid reflux patterns of patients with functional dyspepsia.


METHODS
Combined 24-h oesophageal impedance and pH monitoring was performed in 10 functional dyspepsia patients and 10 controls. Analysis of the impedance-pH signals included incidence of air swallows, belching, acid and non-acid reflux.


RESULTS
The incidence of air swallows in functional dyspepsia patients were significantly higher compared with controls (153 +/- 15 vs. 79 +/- 10, P < 0.001), while the incidence of liquid-only swallows were not significantly increased. The proportions of gas-containing reflux episodes (belches) and non-acid reflux episodes in functional dyspepsia patients were significantly higher when compared with controls (66.4 vs. 44.4%, P = 0.04 and 70.1 vs. 45.9%, P = 0.009, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with functional dyspepsia swallow air more frequently than controls and this is associated with an increased incidence of non-acid gaseous gastro-oesophageal reflux.
Conchillo
J M
JM
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands. jconchillo@hotmail.com
Selimah
M
M
Bredenoord
A J
AJ
Samsom
M
M
Smout
A J P M
AJ
D000328:Adult; D000334:Aerophagy / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004884:Eructation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D005745:Gastric Acidity Determination; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000502:physiology; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged