title: Comparison of oral mucosal pH values in bulimia nervosa, GERD, BMS patients and healthy population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare the oral mucosal pH in healthy individuals to patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Bulimia nervosa (BN) and burning mouth syndrome (BMS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a flat pH meter sensor, pH levels were established in eight mucosal sites in 26 healthy individuals, 26 GERD patients, 22 BN patients and 29 BMS patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significantly lower pH was found in the BN and GERD groups (6.38 ± 00.45, 6.51 ± 0.32 respectively, P < 0.05) and a higher, but non-significant, pH level in the BMS group (7.01 ± 0.34, P > 0.05) compared with the control (C) group (6.82 ± 0.33).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BMS patients showed no pH differences from C group. The mucosa of BN and GERD patients was significantly acidic relative with controls; thus this simple technique may serve as a diagnostic tool for identifying gastro-esophageal conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, Salivary Gland Clinic and Saliva Diagnostics Laboratory, Hebrew University-Hadassah Faculty of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel. dorona@cc.huji.ac.il
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Aframian
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ofir
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Benoliel
mesh_terms: D000143:Acids; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002054:Burning Mouth Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002610:Cheek / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009060:Mouth Floor / Q000503:physiopathology; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000503:physiopathology*; D021362:Palate, Hard / Q000503:physiopathology; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000503:physiopathology; D018987:Salivary Ducts / Q000503:physiopathology; D014059:Tongue / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000143:Acids