title: Correlation between the different pH-metry scores in gastroesophageal reflux disease in children.
abstract: The 24-hour esophageal pH-metry is the most widely used method to diagnose the gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The study compares the different scores obtained during the 24-hour esophageal pH-metry. A retrospective study over 5 years including 234 children (1 month and 18 years old) admitted in a pediatric gastroenterology regional center in Northeast Romania, with suspicion of GERD. They underwent 24- hour esophageal pH-metry, and the scores obtained (Boix-Ochoa, DeMeester, Johnson-DeMeester) were compared. Out of the 234 children, 172 (73.50%) had positive Boix-Ochoa score and 62 (26.50%) had normal Boix-Ochoa score (<11.99). Based on the DeMeester score, 149 children (63.68%) were positive and 85 (36.32%) were negative. The correlation of the Demeester score with the Boix-Ochoa score was very high (r = 0.978, P <  < 0.01, 95% confidence interval). Considering the Johnson-DeMeester score, 120 cases (51.28%) had GERD and 114 (48.72%) did not. The correlation of the Johnson-DeMeester score with the Boix-Ochoa score was still high (r = 0.94, P <  < 0.01, 95% 95% confidence interval). As considered until now, the Boix-Ochoa score is the most accurate score to be used in pediatrics for the diagnosis of GERD. The use of the different scores-Boix-Ochoa, DeMeester, Johnson-DeMeester-showed a high sensitivity and specificity of the pH-metry measurements applied to the study lot, but the last score has a higher risk of false-negative results.
authors.affiliation: aPediatrics Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Gr. T. Popa bVth Pediatrics Clinic, "St. Mary" Children Emergency Hospital cPsychiatry Department dMedical Informatics and Biostatistics Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, "Gr. T. Popa", Iasi, Romania ePediatrics Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Targu Mures, Romania.
authors.forename: Vasile Valeriu
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Lupu
authors.forename: Ancuţa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ignat
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paduraru
authors.forename: Anamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ciubara
authors.forename: Mihaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moscalu
authors.forename: Cristina Oana
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Marginean
authors.forename: Marin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Burlea
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005745:Gastric Acidity Determination; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies