Acid Reflux Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Acid Reflux, including details on diet, gerd (gastro-esophageal reflux disease), treatment, symptoms. | ||||||||
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Determinants of gastro-oesophageal reflux perception in patients with persistent symptoms despite proton pump inhibitors.Zerbib F, Duriez A, Roman S, Capdepont M, Mion F CHU Bordeaux, Saint André Hospital, Gastroenterology Department, Bordeaux, France. frank.zerbib@chu-bordeaux.fr BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Approximately 20% of patients have persistent symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux despite proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. The aim of this study was to assess the determinants of reflux perception in patients on PPI therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 20 patients with typical gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms (heartburn and/or regurgitation) despite double-dose PPIs (twice daily) were included in this study. Ambulatory 24 h pH-impedance studies were performed in all patients. The characteristics of symptomatic and asymptomatic reflux episodes were compared. Symptoms were considered globally and separately for heartburn and regurgitation. RESULTS: A total of 1273 reflux episodes were detected including 243 (19.1%) acidic, 1018 (80.0%) weakly acidic and 12 (0.9%) weakly alkaline reflux episodes. Overall, 312 (24.5%) reflux episodes were symptomatic. The only factor associated with reflux perception was high proximal extent (p = 0.037). Compared with regurgitation, reflux episodes associated with heartburn were more frequently pure liquid (p = 0.009) and acidic (p = 0.027), had a lower nadir pH (p<0.001), were more frequently preceded by acid reflux episodes (p<0.001) and had a longer reflux bolus clearance time (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: High proximal extent of the refluxate is the only factor associated with reflux perception in patients on double-dose PPI. However, compared with regurgitation, composition of the refluxate, sensitisation of the oesophagus by preceding acid exposure and delayed bolus clearance appear to play a role in heartburn perception. Published 14 January 2008 in Gut, 57(2): 156-60.
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