Limitations of 24-hour intraesophageal pH monitoring in the hospital setting.

摘要: Prolonged intraesophageal pH monitoring is considered by some to be the most sensitive and specific test of gastroesophageal reflux. We prospectively examined ability discriminate 64 hospitalized patients with typical reflux symptoms from 20 age-matched control subjects. Patients were subdivided based on endoscopic findings into two groups: group 1, normal endoscopy (n = 30); 2, erosive esophagitis 34). Six different individual variables a scoring system evaluated. Total esophageal acid exposure time number episodes requiring longer than 5 min clear each found have greater discriminatory power other system. Although had significantly more controls, only 48% abnormal results (defined as 2 SD mean). Group 1 though 21% results. both controls but 29% studies. Ninety-three percent studies responded antireflux therapy, patient another explanation for symptoms. The finding that 24-h was in half individuals presenting indicates negative must interpreted caution. insensitivity may relate manner which study has traditionally been performed hospital, outpatient ambulatory improve its reliability.