Comparison of the different characteristics of sensed reflux events among different heartburn groups.
OBJECTIVE
Presently, there are no studies comparing sensed acid reflux event (SARE) characteristics among different heartburn groups. Our aim was to compare the different esophageal acid reflux characteristics of an SARE among the different heartburn groups.


METHODS
Patients with heartburn underwent endoscopy and pH testing and were stratified into 3 groups: erosive esophagitis (EE), nonerosive reflux disease (NERD), and functional heartburn (FH). Patients underwent esophageal pH testing using a 4-sensor pH probe, with the most distal pH sensor positioned 1 cm> lower esophageal sphincter (LES).


RESULTS
Twenty-two patients had EE, 15 NERD, and 13 FH (M/F: 20/2, 12/3, 5/8, mean age: 51.5+/-3.7, 50.1+/-4.2, 50.3+/-3.8, respectively). The percentage of SAREs at 1 cm>LES that had reached 16 cm>LES was significantly higher in the FH group compared with NERD and EE (P<0.05). EE demonstrated the lowest nadir during an SARE and NERD the most acid reflux events before an SARE (up to 4 h).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with FH demonstrated the most SAREs that reached the proximal esophagus. EE patients demonstrated the lowest nadir pH during an SARE and NERD patients the most acid reflux events before an SARE, as compared with the other heartburn groups.
Schey
Ron
R
Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, The Neuroenteric Clinical Research Group, Southern Arizona VA Health Care, Tucson, AZ, USA.
Shapiro
Michael
M
Navarro-Rodriguez
Tomas
T
Fass
Shira S
SS
Han
Bing
B
Wendel
Christopher
C
Fass
Ronnie
R
D004724:Endoscopy; D050782:Esophageal pH Monitoring; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006356:Heartburn / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index