Intra‐oesophageal distribution and perception of acid reflux in patients with non‐erosive gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease

• Published in: Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics 2003-09, Vol.18 (6), p.605-613
• Main Authors: Cicala, M., Emerenziani, S., Caviglia, R., Guarino, M. P. L., Vavassori, P., Ribolsi, M., Carotti, S., Petitti, T., Pallone, F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Esophagitis, Peptic - physiopathology; Esophagitis, Peptic - psychology; Esophagus; Female; Gastric Acid - chemistry; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Gastroesophageal Reflux - physiopathology; Gastroesophageal Reflux - psychology; Heartburn - etiology; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Other diseases. Semiology; Perception; Recurrence; Risk Factors
• ISSN: 0269-2813; 1365-2036
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2036.2003.01702.x

Summary Background: The majority of patients with gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease do not present with erosive oesophagitis and make up a heterogeneous group. Patients with non‐erosive gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease are less responsive than patients with oesophagitis to acid‐suppressive therapy. Aim: To assess the role of acid reflux in gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease symptoms. Methods: The spatio‐temporal characteristics of reflux events were analysed and related to reflux perception in 45 patients with non‐erosive gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease and 20 patients with erosive oesophagitis. Results: Compared with healthy controls, all patients showed a higher intra‐oesophageal proximal spread of acid, which was prominent in patients with non‐erosive gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (> 50% of events lasting for 1–2 min). Irrespective of mucosal injury, the risk of reflux perception was very high when acid reached proximal sensors (odds ratio, 7.6; 95% confidence interval, 4.6–12.5), being maximal in patients with non‐erosive gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease with normal acid exposure time (odds ratio, 11; 95% confidence interval, 5.2–22.3). Conclusions: Patients with non‐erosive gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease are characterized by a significantly higher proportion of proximal acid refluxes and a higher sensitivity to short‐lasting refluxes when compared with patients with oesophagitis. The highest proximal acid exposure and highest perception occurred in patients with non‐erosive gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease presenting with a normal pH‐metric profile. The assessment of acid distribution and its perception in the oesophageal body can better identify reflux patients who should benefit from acid‐suppressive treatment.