Comparison of the impact of wireless versus catheter-based pH-metry on daily activities and study-related symptoms.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the variation in tolerance to wireless pH-metry compared with catheter-based pH-metry, and to determine clinical characteristics that might predict reduced tolerance to wireless pH-metry.


METHODS
Consecutive outpatients (n=341) completing wireless (n=234) or catheter-based pH-metry (n=106) were evaluated. All patients completed the pH-Metry Impact Scale and the pH-Metry Symptoms Scale to assess the impact of the pH-metry on activities of daily living and pH-metry associated changes in study-related symptoms. All data are presented as mean (SD) or odds ratios (95% confidence interval).


RESULTS
The impact of pH-metry on activities of daily living were modest, but wireless pH-metry had less impact than catheter-based pH-metry (P=0.01). A sense of foreign body in the chest, chest discomfort, and chest pain were reported more frequently during wireless pH-metry. Difficulty swallowing and painful swallowing were more common during catheter-based pH-metry. Noncardiac chest pain was associated with increased symptom severity. Patients with poor tolerance were twice as likely to have a diagnosis of noncardiac chest pain (odds ratio=2. 53; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-4.6).


CONCLUSIONS
Wireless pH-metry has less of an impact on activities of daily living but is not associated with fewer study-related symptoms compared with catheter-based pH-metry. The prevalence of specific study-related symptoms does differ between the 2 groups and noncardiac chest pain seems to be the primary risk factor for more severe study-related symptoms and reduced tolerance for wireless pH-metry. This information may be useful in helping to decide which patients should undergo the wireless pH-metry or receive additional counseling on procedural expectations.
Bradley
Angela G
AG
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA.
Crowell
Michael D
MD
DiBaise
John K
JK
Kim
Hack J
HJ
Burdick
George E
GE
Fleischer
David E
DE
Sharma
Virender K
VK
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D050782:Esophageal pH Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000523:psychology*; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods