Wireless pH monitoring in patients with non-cardiac chest pain

Prolonged Wireless pH Monitoring in Patients With Persistent Reflux Symptoms Despite Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Wireless pH monitoring measures esophageal acid exposure time (AET) for up to 96 hours. We evaluated competing methods of analysis of wireless pH data.

METHODS

Adult patients with persisting reflux symptoms despite acid suppression (n = 322, 48.5 ± 0.9 years, 61.7% women) from 2 tertiary centers were evaluated using symptom questionnaires and wireless pH monitoring off therapy, from November 2013 through September 2017; 30 healthy adults (control subjects; 26.9 ± 1.5 years; 60.0% women) were similarly evaluated. Concordance of daily AET (physiologic <4%, borderline 4%-6%, pathologic>6%) for 2 or more days constituted the predominant AET pattern. Each predominant pattern (physiologic, borderline, or pathologic) in relation to data from the first day, and total averaged AET, were compared with other interpretation paradigms (first 2 days, best day, or worst day) and with symptoms.

RESULTS

At least 2 days of AET data were available from 96.9% of patients, 3 days from 90.7%, and 4 days from 72.7%. A higher proportion of patients had a predominant pathologic pattern (31.4%) than control subjects (11.1%; P = .03). When 3 or more days of data were available, 90.4% of patients had a predominant AET pattern; when 2 days of data were available, 64.1% had a predominant AET pattern (P < .001). Day 1 AET was discordant with the predominant pattern in 22.4% of patients and was less strongly associated with the predominant pattern compared with 48 hour AET (P = .059) or total averaged AET (P = .02). Baseline symptom burden was higher in patients with a predominant pathologic pattern compared with a predominant physiologic pattern (P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

The predominant AET pattern on prolonged wireless pH monitoring can identify patients at risk for reflux symptoms and provides gains over 24 hours and 48 hours recording, especially when results from the first 2 days are discordant or borderline.

Diagnosis and Management of Functional Chest Pain in the Rome IV Era

Functional chest pain accounts for about a third of the patients with noncardiac chest pain. It is a very common functional esophageal disorder that remains even today a management challenge to the practicing physician. Based on the definition offered by the Rome IV criteria, diagnosis of functional chest pain requires a negative workup of noncardiac chest pain patients that includes, proton pump inhibitor test or empirical proton pump inhibitor trial, endoscopy with esophageal mucosal biopsies, reflux testing, and esophageal manometry. The mainstay of treatment are neuromodulators that are primarily composed of anti-depressants. Alternative medicine and psychological interventions may be provided alone or in combination with other therapeutic modalities.

The Mexican consensus on non-cardiac chest pain

INTRODUCTION

Non-cardiac chest pain is defined as a clinical syndrome characterized by retrosternal pain similar to that of angina pectoris, but of non-cardiac origin and produced by esophageal, musculoskeletal, pulmonary, or psychiatric diseases.

AIM

To present a consensus review based on evidence regarding the definition, epidemiology, pathophysiology, and diagnosis of non-cardiac chest pain, as well as the therapeutic options for those patients.

METHODS

Three general coordinators carried out a literature review of all articles published in English and Spanish on the theme and formulated 38 initial statements, dividing them into 3 main categories: (i)definitions, epidemiology, and pathophysiology; (ii)diagnosis, and (iii)treatment. The statements underwent 3rounds of voting, utilizing the Delphi system. The final statements were those that reached >75% agreement, and they were rated utilizing the GRADE system.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The final consensus included 29 statements. All patients presenting with chest pain should initially be evaluated by a cardiologist. The most common cause of non-cardiac chest pain is gastroesophageal reflux disease. If there are no alarm symptoms, the initial approach should be a therapeutic trial with a proton pump inhibitor for 2-4weeks. If dysphagia or alarm symptoms are present, endoscopy is recommended. High-resolution manometry is the best method for ruling out spastic motor disorders and achalasia and pH monitoring aids in demonstrating abnormal esophageal acid exposure. Treatment should be directed at the pathophysiologic mechanism. It can include proton pump inhibitors, neuromodulators and/or smooth muscle relaxants, psychologic intervention and/or cognitive therapy, and occasionally surgery or endoscopic therapy.

Diagnosis of GERD in typical and atypical manifestations

The manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been recently classified into either esophageal or extra-esophageal syndromes. Clinical history, questionnaire data and response to antisecretory therapy are insufficient to make a conclusive diagnosis of GERD. Endoscopy had a low sensitivity. Recently, the availability of multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH-monitoring (MII-pH) has modified the diagnostic approach towards atypical manifestations of GERD. There is a rising consensus that this technique should be considered as the gold standard for GERD diagnosis. Gastrin 17 (G-17) has been proposed as a non-invasive marker of GERD, due to the negative feedback between acid and the hormone. G17 levels seem able to identify patients with acid and non-acid reflux.

Gastroesophageal reflux symptoms are not sufficient to guide esophageal function testing in lung transplant candidates

Gastroesophageal reflux disease and esophageal dysmotility are prevalent in patients with advanced lung disease and are associated with graft dysfunction following lung transplantation. As a result, many transplant centers perform esophageal function testing as part of the wait-listing process but guidelines for testing in this population are lacking. The aim of this study is to describe whether symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux correlate with abnormal results on pH-metry and high-resolution manometry and can be used to identify those who require testing. We performed a retrospective cohort study of 226 lung transplant candidates referred for high-resolution manometry and pH-metry over a 12-month period in 2015. Demographic data, results of a standard symptom questionnaire and details of esophageal function testing were obtained. Associations between the presence of symptoms and test results were analyzed using Fisher's exact tests and multivariable logistic regression. The most common lung disease diagnosis was interstitial lung disease (N = 131, 58%). Abnormal pH-metry was seen in 116 (51%) patients and the presence of symptoms was significantly associated with an abnormal study (p < 0.01). Dysmotility was found in 98 (43%) patients, with major peristaltic or esophageal outflow disorders in 45 (20%) patients. Symptoms were not correlated with findings on esophageal high-resolution manometry. Fifteen of 25 (60%) asymptomatic patients had an abnormal manometry or pH-metry. These results demonstrate that in patients with advanced lung disease, symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux increase the likelihood of elevated acid exposure on pH-metry but were not associated with dysmotility. Given the proportion of asymptomatic patients with abnormal studies and associated post-transplant risks, a practice of universal high-resolution manometry and pH-metry testing in this population is justifiable.

Determinants of the Association between Non-Cardiac Chest Pain and Reflux

OBJECTIVES

Gastroesophageal reflux is considered to be the most common gastrointestinal cause of non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP). It remains unclear why some reflux episodes in the same patient cause chest pain while others do not. To understand more about the mechanisms by which reflux elicits chest pain, we aimed to identify factors which are important in triggering chest pain.

METHODS

In this multicenter study, 120 patients with NCCP were analyzed using 24-h pH-impedance monitoring. In the patients with a positive association between reflux and chest pain, the characteristics of the reflux episodes which were followed by a chest pain episode were compared with chest pain-free reflux episodes.

RESULTS

Using 24-h pH-impedance monitoring, 40% of the NCCP patients were identified as having reflux as a possible cause of their chest pain. Reflux episodes that were associated with chest pain had a higher proximal extent (P=0.007), a higher volume clearance time (P=0.030), a higher 15-minute acid burden (P=0.041), were more often acidic (P=0.011), had a lower nadir pH (P=0.044), and had a longer acid duration time (P=0.027) than reflux episodes which were not followed by chest pain. Patients who experienced typical reflux symptoms were more likely to have reflux as the cause of their chest pain (52 vs. 31.4%, P=0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of a larger volume of acid refluxate for a longer period of time appears to be an important determinant of perceiving a reflux episode as chest pain. 24-h pH-impedance monitoring is an important tool in identifying gastroesophageal reflux as a potential cause of symptoms in patients with NCCP.

Expert consensus document: Advances in the physiological assessment and diagnosis of GERD

GERD is a common condition worldwide. Key mechanisms of disease include abnormal oesophagogastric junction structure and function, and impaired oesophageal clearance. A therapeutic trial of acid-suppressive PPI therapy is often the initial management, with endoscopy performed in the setting of alarm symptoms and to exclude other conditions. If symptoms persist and endoscopy does not reveal evidence of GERD, oesophageal function tests are performed, including oesophageal manometry and ambulatory reflux monitoring. However, reflux episodes can be physiological, and some findings on endoscopy and manometry can be encountered in asymptomatic individuals without GERD symptoms. The diagnosis of GERD on the basis of functional oesophageal testing has been previously reported, but no updated expert recommendations on indications and the interpretation of oesophageal function testing in GERD has been made since the Porto consensus over a decade ago. In this Consensus Statement, we aim to describe modern oesophageal physiological tests and their analysis with an emphasis on establishing indications and consensus on interpretation parameters of oesophageal function testing for the evaluation of GERD in clinical practice. This document reflects the collective conclusions of the international GERD working group, incorporating existing data with expert consensus opinion.

Ambulatory reflux monitoring for diagnosis of gastro-esophageal reflux disease: Update of the Porto consensus and recommendations from an international consensus group

BACKGROUND

An international group of experts evaluated and revised recommendations for ambulatory reflux monitoring for the diagnosis of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD).

METHODS

Literature search was focused on indications and technical recommendations for GERD testing and phenotypes definitions. Statements were proposed and discussed during several structured meetings.

KEY RESULTS

Reflux testing should be performed after cessation of acid suppressive medication in patients with a low likelihood of GERD. In this setting, testing can be either catheter-based or wireless pH-monitoring or pH-impedance monitoring. In patients with a high probability of GERD (esophagitis grade C and D, histology proven Barrett's mucosa >1 cm, peptic stricture, previous positive pH monitoring) and persistent symptoms, pH-impedance monitoring should be performed on treatment. Recommendations are provided for data acquisition and analysis. Esophageal acid exposure is considered as pathological if acid exposure time (AET) is greater than 6% on pH testing. Number of reflux episodes and baseline impedance are exploratory metrics that may complement AET. Positive symptom reflux association is defined as symptom index (SI) >50% or symptom association probability (SAP) >95%. A positive symptom-reflux association in the absence of pathological AET defines hypersensitivity to reflux.

CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES

The consensus group determined that grade C or D esophagitis, peptic stricture, histology proven Barrett's mucosa >1 cm, and esophageal acid exposure greater >6% are sufficient to define pathological GERD. Further testing should be considered when none of these criteria are fulfilled.

The Quality of Care for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Improving the quality of healthcare delivery is a cornerstone of modern medical care shared between all stakeholders. However, effectively improving quality requires both an understanding of the tenets of healthcare quality and how they relate to an individual disease process. This is especially important for common diseases, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), where wide variations in practice exist. The high prevalence of GERD coupled with wide variation in clinical approach results in significant economic burden and poor quality of care. Thus, GERD serves as a useful framework to highlight the opportunities and current challenges of delivering high-quality care. In this article, we identify quality metrics in GERD and the areas in need of research to improve the quality of the management of GERD. Additionally, we suggest strategies for improvement as it relates to the proper diagnostic testing utilization and the decision-making process.

Adult and paediatric GERD: diagnosis, phenotypes and avoidance of excess treatments

Detailed investigations and objective measurements in patients with symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux should be performed with the intent of making the correct diagnosis, thus enabling choice of appropriate therapy. Establishing the most effective therapy is particularly important in adults who do not respond to standard treatment and in children. The use of PPIs for suspected GERD has increased substantially over the past decade, providing great relief in patients with acid-related symptoms, but also leading to adverse effects and a considerable economic burden. Adults with functional heartburn do not benefit from PPIs, while prolonged PPI use in patients with extraoesophageal symptoms remains a controversial area. Moreover, PPIs are not indicated in infants with GERD unless symptoms are proven to be acid-related. With regard to antireflux surgery, patients must be carefully selected to avoid the need for ongoing PPI treatment postoperatively. Correct diagnosis and phenotyping of patients with symptoms attributed to gastro-oesophageal reflux through detailed investigations is therefore imperative, leading to improved patient outcomes and rationalized use of available treatment options. In this Review, we outline currently available diagnostic tests and discuss approaches to limit any unnecessary medical or surgical interventions.

GERD phenotypes from pH-impedance monitoring predict symptomatic outcomes on prospective evaluation

BACKGROUND

Combinations of reflux parameters (acid exposure time, AET; symptom association probability, SAP) on pH-impedance monitoring describe varying confidence in reflux evidence. We compared outcomes between phenotypes with distinct pre-identified reflux parameters.

METHODS

In this observational cohort study, patients undergoing pH-impedance testing over a 5-year period were phenotyped by strength of reflux evidence as strong (abnormal AET, positive SAP), good (abnormal AET, negative SAP), reflux hypersensitivity (RH, normal AET, positive SAP), and equivocal evidence of reflux, and compared to two historical institutional pH monitoring cohorts. Symptom burden (dominant symptom intensity, DSI; global symptom severity, GSS) was assessed by questionnaire at baseline and on prospective follow-up and compared between phenotypes.

KEY RESULTS

Of 94 patients tested off proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy, baseline symptom burden was highest with strong reflux evidence and lowest when equivocal (DSI: p = 0.01; GSS: p = 0.03 across groups). After 3.1 ± 0.2 years follow-up, symptomatic improvement with surgical or medical therapy was highest with strong or good evidence, and lowest when equivocal (DSI: p = 0.008; GSS: p = 0.005 across groups). This was most pronounced for typical symptoms (DSI: p = 0.001; GSS: 0.016 across groups), but not atypical symptoms (DSI: p = 0.6; GSS: p = 0.2). For testing on PPI therapy, only GSS followed a similar trend (GSS: p = 0.057, DSI: p = 0.3). Compared to historical cohorts with pH monitoring alone, equivocal evidence for reflux was partly replaced by RH, especially off PPI (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

Phenotyping gastroesophageal reflux disease by the strength of reflux evidence on pH-impedance testing off PPI efficiently stratifies symptomatic outcome, especially for typical symptoms, and could be useful in planning management.

Esophageal testing: What we have so far

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. In the last few decades, new technologies have evolved and have been applied to the functional study of the esophagus, allowing for the improvement of our knowledge of the pathophysiology of GERD. High-resolution manometry (HRM) permits greater understanding of the function of the esophagogastric junction and the risks associated with hiatal hernia. Moreover, HRM has been found to be more reproducible and sensitive than conventional water-perfused manometry to detect the presence of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation. Esophageal 24-h pH-metry with or without combined impedance is usually performed in patients with negative endoscopy and reflux symptoms who have a poor response to anti-reflux medical therapy to assess esophageal acid exposure and symptom-reflux correlations. In particular, esophageal 24-h impedance and pH monitoring can detect acid and non-acid reflux events. EndoFLIP is a recent technique poorly applied in clinical practice, although it provides a large amount of information about the esophagogastric junction. In the coming years, laryngopharyngeal symptoms could be evaluated with up and coming non-invasive or minimally invasive techniques, such as pepsin detection in saliva or pharyngeal pH-metry. Future studies are required of these techniques to evaluate their diagnostic accuracy and usefulness, although the available data are promising.

Symptom index P-value and symptom sensitivity index P-value to determine symptom association between apnea and reflux in premature infants at term

The current method to determine temporal association (TA) between reflux and symptoms is the symptom association probability (SAP), but this method has limitations due to the constraints of binning and the violation of statistical principles of the Fisher's exact test that lead to an invalid estimation of TA. The aim of this study is to develop improved methods of computing the TA between apneic and reflux events using simulation and permutation methods and to compare these to the SAP. TA was analyzed between polysomnographic obstructive apneas and multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII) reflux events. Three new numerical methods were compared to the SAP in four former premature infants with persistent apneas at term. The experimentally found association was compared to the association observed in simulated or permuted data consistent with the lack of association beyond what is expected by chance alone. Temporal association was computed based on symptom and symptom sensitivity indices, SI and SSI, with varying window of association (WA) times from 15 to 300 s. The three new methods estimated P-values at varying WA that generally followed the same pattern of the SAP which had a more erratic pattern. The WA that gave the lowest P-value was approximately 120 s. Each of the novel methods produced P-value results consistent with each other and the SAP yet not subject to its limitations. The variation of WA gave a temporal profile of TA providing clues to its etiology. These new metrics are called Symptom Index (SIP) and Symptom Sensitivity Index (SSIP) P-values.

Management of spastic disorders of the esophagus

The concept of esophageal spastic disorders encompasses spastic achalasia, distal esophageal spasm, and jackhammer esophagus. These are conceptually distinct in that spastic achalasia and distal esophageal spasm are characterized by a loss of neural inhibition, whereas jackhammer esophagus is associated with hypercontractility. Hypercontractility may also occur as a result of esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction or inflammation. The diagnosis of jackhammer esophagus as a primary motility disorder is based on the characteristic manometric findings after ruling out mechanical obstruction and eosinophilic esophagitis. Despite the differences in pathophysiology among the esophageal spastic disorders, their management is similar.

Assessment of concordance of symptom reflux association tests in ambulatory pH monitoring

BACKGROUND

Both simple proportions and statistical tests are utilised for symptom-reflux association. We systematically compared three such tests in a clinical setting.

AIM

To compare the three commonly used symptom reflux association tests in a large cohort of patients undergoing ambulatory pH monitoring for the evaluation of oesophageal symptoms.

METHODS

Ambulatory pH data from 772 symptomatic subjects (49.1 ± 0.5 years; 479 F) tested off therapy were assessed for acid exposure time (AET, elevated when pH <4 for ≥4%), symptom index (SI, ≥50% when positive), and symptom association probability (SAP) and Ghillebert probability estimate (GPE, P < 0.05 when positive). Test concordance and discordance were individually assessed; discordance between statistical tests was minor if one had P < 0.1 while the other was positive. Logistic regression determined independent predictors of test discordance.

RESULTS

The SAP, GPE and SI were positive in 42.7%, 39.3% and 33.9% respectively. GPE performed extremely well compared to SAP (sensitivity 0.95, specificity 0.91), with major discordance in only 2.8%. Positive concordance was significantly higher when AET was abnormal. GPE underestimated symptom association compared to SAP, whereas SAP was subject to symptom over-counting in 33.3% of discordant cases. GPE-SAP discordance was associated with higher AET (7.5% vs. 5.1%) and more symptoms (19.3 vs. 10.7, P > 0.001 for each comparison with concordant tests); both remained significant on logistic regression analysis (P ≤ 0.003). SI was discordant with SAP when symptoms were extremely frequent (median 19, IQR 10-32) or limited (median 1, IQR 1-2), and concordant when median 6 symptoms (IQR 3-12) were recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

The GPE can be used interchangeably with SAP in symptom reflux association. SI has uncertain value with very high and very low symptom counts.

Assessment of concordance of symptom reflux association tests in ambulatory pH monitoring

BACKGROUND

Both simple proportions and statistical tests are utilised for symptom-reflux association. We systematically compared three such tests in a clinical setting.

AIM

To compare the three commonly used symptom reflux association tests in a large cohort of patients undergoing ambulatory pH monitoring for the evaluation of oesophageal symptoms.

METHODS

Ambulatory pH data from 772 symptomatic subjects (49.1 ± 0.5 years; 479 F) tested off therapy were assessed for acid exposure time (AET, elevated when pH <4 for ≥4%), symptom index (SI, ≥50% when positive), and symptom association probability (SAP) and Ghillebert probability estimate (GPE, P < 0.05 when positive). Test concordance and discordance were individually assessed; discordance between statistical tests was minor if one had P < 0.1 while the other was positive. Logistic regression determined independent predictors of test discordance.

RESULTS

The SAP, GPE and SI were positive in 42.7%, 39.3% and 33.9% respectively. GPE performed extremely well compared to SAP (sensitivity 0.95, specificity 0.91), with major discordance in only 2.8%. Positive concordance was significantly higher when AET was abnormal. GPE underestimated symptom association compared to SAP, whereas SAP was subject to symptom over-counting in 33.3% of discordant cases. GPE-SAP discordance was associated with higher AET (7.5% vs. 5.1%) and more symptoms (19.3 vs. 10.7, P > 0.001 for each comparison with concordant tests); both remained significant on logistic regression analysis (P ≤ 0.003). SI was discordant with SAP when symptoms were extremely frequent (median 19, IQR 10-32) or limited (median 1, IQR 1-2), and concordant when median 6 symptoms (IQR 3-12) were recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

The GPE can be used interchangeably with SAP in symptom reflux association. SI has uncertain value with very high and very low symptom counts.

Bravo 48-hour Wireless pH Monitoring in Patients With Non-cardiac Chest Pain. Objective Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Parameters Predict the Responses to Proton Pump Inhibitors

BACKGROUND/AIMS

In patients with non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the commonest cause and ambulatory pH is of great value in identifying these patients. However, parameters in the context of predicting therapeutic response are still unknown. By extending the monitoring period, we could better evaluate the best evidence for GERD association. Our aims were (1) to compare the outcomes of 48-hour pH monitoring to 24-hour and (2) to determine whether objective parameters could predict the treatment success in patients with NCCP using Bravo pH system.

METHODS

Pathological esophageal acid reflux (PEAR) and positive symptom index (SI) were calculated after 24-hour and compared to the 48-hour study. Evidence suggestive of GERD diagnosis was considered if PEAR and/or SI (+) were present on each different day. After pH study, all patients received proton pump inhibitor twice a day for 4 weeks. Treatment success was determined at the end of therapy.

RESULTS

Thirty-two patients with NCCP participated. GERD was identified in 20 (62.5%) patients; 17 (53.1%) had PEAR, 3 (9.4%) SI (+) and 7 (22%) both. Twelve (41%) patients exhibited PEAR values on day 1, while 17 after 2 days; a 12.1% gain. SI (+) was found in 6 patients (18.8%) on day 1 and in 4 more on day 2, a gain of 12.5%. Significantly higher proportion of patients with GERD indicators showed improvement compared to those without (90% vs 16.7%, P < 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with NCCP, 48-hour pH measurement identified GERD as the cause of NCCP with an increased yield by almost 12% compared to 12 hours. Objective GERD parameters could predict response to antireflux therapy.

Noncardiac chest pain: diagnostic evaluation

Noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) is a common and challenging clinical problem. It is estimated that more than 70 million Americans (23% of the population) suffer from this condition yearly. Patients with NCCP represent a diagnostic dilemma. Their chest pain is often indistinguishable from cardiac pain leading to extensive and expensive evaluations. Once coronary artery disease and other cardiac and pulmonary sources of chest pain are excluded, patients are frequently referred to gastroenterologists to look primarily for esophageal sources of pain. A variety of diagnostic tests are available to the practicing clinician to identify the origin of pain, including ambulatory pH testing, esophageal motility, upper endoscopy, provocative testing and even therapeutic trials.

Impedance-pH reflux patterns can differentiate non-erosive reflux disease from functional heartburn patients

INTRODUCTION

Symptom association is important to distinguish non-erosive reflux disease [NERD; abnormal oesophageal acid exposure time (AET) and/or positive symptom association] from functional heartburn (FH; normal AET and negative symptom association). Asymptomatic patients during reflux monitoring are challenging as symptom association cannot be assessed.

AIM

To evaluate whether impedance-pH reflux patterns are useful to differentiate NERD from FH.

METHODS

Endoscopy-negative reflux patients underwent impedance-pH off-therapy. Oesophageal AET, characteristics of reflux episodes and symptom association probability (SAP) were measured. Twenty patients asymptomatic during the first test repeated a second examination.

RESULTS

Of 329 patients, 130 (40%) were pH-POS, 120 (36%) pH-NEG/SAP+ (hypersensitive oesophagus = HO) and 79 (24%) pH-NEG/SAP- (FH). Total and acid reflux episodes were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in pH-POS compared to pH-NEG/SAP+, pH-NEG/SAP- and healthy volunteers (HVs). Patients pH-NEG/SAP+ had a significantly increased number of weakly acidic reflux episodes compared to pH-POS, pH-NEG/SAP- and HVs (p < 0.01). The rate of proximal reflux episodes in pH-POS (50%) and pH-NEG/SAP+ (47%) was higher (p < 0.01) than in pH-NEG/SAP- (33%) and HVs (33%). Measuring AET, number of reflux episodes and percentage of proximal reflux events permits to identify FH in 70% of cases and HO in 80% of cases who repeated the examination.

CONCLUSION

In patients with normal AET and SAP+, increased number of weakly acidic reflux and higher rate of proximal reflux are the main discriminant features. There is large overlap between FH and HVs. These differences can be of help in diagnosing patients with normal oesophageal acid exposure who fail to have symptoms during MII-pH testing.

High resolution manometry patterns distinguish acid sensitivity in non-cardiac chest pain

BACKGROUND

High resolution manometry (HRM) has demonstrated two distinct smooth muscle contraction segments in the esophageal body; changes in these segments typify certain esophageal disorders. We investigated segmental characteristics in subgroups of non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP).

METHODS

32 NCCP subjects were segregated into a GERD group (ambulatory pH testing off antisecretory therapy showing elevated total acid exposure time, AET≥4.0% and positive symptom association probability, SAP) and an acid sensitive group (normal AET and positive SAP). HRM Clouse plots were analyzed; smooth muscle segment lengths, pressure amplitude peaks were measured for segment 2 and segment 3 (proximal and distal smooth muscle segments). Pressure volumes were determined in mmHg cm(-1) s(-1) for each peristaltic segment, and ratios of segment 3:segment 2 calculated. Values were compared to a cohort of 14 normal controls.

KEY RESULTS

A distinctive shift in peak contraction amplitude to segment 3 was evident in the acid sensitive group (segment 2, 100.03±11.06mmHg, segment 3, 145.23± 10.29mmHg, P=0.006). Pressure volumes were similarly shifted to segment 3 (segment 2: 855.3 ± 135.1 mmHg cm(-1)  s(-1) , segment 3: 2115.2±218.6 mmHg cm(-1) s(-1) , P<0.005). In contrast, peak amplitude and pressure volume were near equal in the two segments in GERD and control groups. A threshold segment 3:segment 2 pressure volume ratio of 1.9 had the best performance characteristic for segregating acid sensitivity subjects from all GERD and control subjects.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

Shift in contractile vigor to the third peristaltic segment may be seen in acid sensitive subjects. HRM characteristics of smooth muscle contraction segments are of value in making this determination.

Barrett's esophagus: proton pump inhibitors and chemoprevention II

The following on proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and chemoprevention in relation to Barrett's esophagus includes commentaries on 48-h pH monitoring, pH-impedence, bile acid testing, dyspepsia, long/short segment Barrett's esophagus, nonerosive reflux disease (NERD), functional heartburn, dual-release delivery PPIs, immediate-release PPIs, long-term PPI use, prokinetic agents, obesity, baclofen, nocturnal acid breakthrough, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and new PPIs.

Meta-analysis: the epidemiology of noncardiac chest pain in the community

BACKGROUND

Prevalence of, and risk factors for, noncardiac chest pain in the community have not been well studied.

AIMS

To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine these issues.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE and EMBASE Classic were searched (up to March 2011) to identify population-based studies reporting prevalence of noncardiac chest pain in adults (≥15 years) according to self-report, questionnaire or specific symptom-based criteria. Prevalence of noncardiac chest pain was extracted for all studies, and according to study location and certain other characteristics including presence or absence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms, where reported. Pooled prevalence overall, as well as odds ratios (OR), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

RESULTS

Of 18 articles evaluated, 16 reported prevalence of noncardiac chest pain in 14 separate populations, containing 24 849 subjects. Pooled prevalence of noncardiac chest pain in all studies was 13% (95% CI 9-16). The prevalence of noncardiac chest pain was higher in Australian studies and in studies using a questionnaire to define its presence, compared with those using Rome I or II criteria. Prevalence was no different in women vs. men (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.82-1.20). The prevalence was markedly higher in subjects who also reported GERD (OR 4.71; 95% CI 3.32-6.70) and increased according to frequency of GERD symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Pooled prevalence of noncardiac chest pain in the community was 13%, but there were few studies. Rates did not appear to differ according to gender or age. Presence of GERD was strongly associated with noncardiac chest pain.

The effect of antisecretory therapy and study duration on ambulatory esophageal pH monitoring

BACKGROUND

Conventional catheter-based and wireless pH monitoring continue to be widely used for the evaluation of GERD symptoms despite the emergence of pH-impedance monitoring.

GOALS

We sought to identify patient- and test-related factors predicting objective GERD parameters on catheter-based and wireless pH monitoring.

STUDY

Ambulatory pH studies in 2,067 subjects (50.4 ± 0.3 years, 66.3% female) were assessed for presenting symptoms, antireflux therapy status, test characteristics, distal esophageal total acid exposure time (AET), symptom index (SI), and symptom-reflux association (Ghillebert probability estimate, GPE). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of GERD evidence, both off and on antireflux therapy.

RESULTS

Catheter-based pH monitoring was performed in 77.6%, and 90.1% of the studies were performed off antireflux therapy. The likelihood of finding GERD evidence was significantly higher off therapy (65.8 vs. 21.4% on therapy, p < 0.0001); this held true for both strong GERD evidence (elevated AET and positive GPE) and elevated AET alone. The SI did not complement AET and GPE. Extended pH recording with the wireless technique consistently increased diagnostic yield. On multivariate logistic regression, the status of antireflux therapy and frequency of symptoms dictated finding of GERD evidence, and yields were highest for perceptive symptoms (heartburn, chest pain, and cough).

CONCLUSIONS

Ambulatory pH testing off antireflux therapy improves detection of all degrees of GERD evidence. pH testing provides highest yields with frequent perceptive symptoms and least with isolated regurgitation and ENT symptoms. Extending pH-recording with wireless monitoring uniformly augments yield.

Abnormal GERD parameters on ambulatory pH monitoring predict therapeutic success in noncardiac chest pain

OBJECTIVES

The value of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) indicators (acid exposure time (AET), symptom association probability (SAP), and symptom index (SI)) in predicting therapeutic success in noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) has not been systematically evaluated in outcome studies.

METHODS

We retrospectively identified 98 subjects with NCCP (age 51.8+/-1.2 years, 75 women, mean duration of symptoms 7.3+/-0.4 years) who underwent pH monitoring off antireflux therapy. Distal esophageal AET (abnormal if > or = 4.0%), SAP (measured as Ghillibert probability estimate, abnormal if P<0.05), and SI (abnormal if > or = 50%) were calculated; symptom severity and change after therapy were assessed on a 10-point Likert scale. Subjects were interviewed 2.8+/-0.9 years after the pH study to determine the degree of symptom change (high-degree response (HDR), with definite, sustained symptom improvement) after antireflux therapy. Regression analysis was used to determine the independent predictors of HDR.

RESULTS

GERD indicators were present in 61 subjects (62.2%); 52 subjects (53.1%) had abnormal AET, 26 (26.5%) had positive SAP, and 25 (25.5%) had positive SI. With therapy, mean symptom scores improved from 6.3+/-0.3 at the time of the pH study to 2.9+/-0.3 at the time of interview (P<0.001). A total of 58 subjects (59.2%) achieved HDR, and another 29.6% had moderate symptom improvement. On univariate analysis, HDR was associated with positive SAP (P=0.003) and elevated AET (P=0.015) but not with demographics, SI, or esophageal motor pattern. In regression analysis containing demographics, GERD indicators, psychiatric comorbidity, and esophageal motor pattern, positive SAP was retained as a significant predictor of HDR (P=0.003); elevated AET trended toward significance (P=0.055). Frequency of HDR was highest when subjects had all three GERD parameters abnormal (93.3% HDR) or both elevated AET and positive SAP (88.2% HDR, P<0.001 compared with only one or no GERD parameter abnormal).

CONCLUSIONS

Positive statistical tests of symptom association predict the therapeutic success of GERD management in NCCP. When used hierarchically, response to antireflux therapy is best predicted when GERD parameters are all abnormal and poorest when parameters are normal. These results support the importance of GERD, the relevance of symptom association testing during ambulatory pH monitoring, and the value of intensive antireflux therapy in NCCP.

Long-term therapeutic outcome of patients undergoing ambulatory pH monitoring for chronic unexplained cough

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Ambulatory pH monitoring is frequently performed to determine temporal associations between reflux events and chronic unexplained cough. We further explored the clinical value of ambulatory pH monitoring in predicting long-term symptomatic outcome of therapy in chronic cough.

METHODS

Symptom scores and reflux indicators from ambulatory pH study [acid exposure time, symptom association probability (SAP), and symptom index] were extracted from records of subjects undergoing esophageal evaluation for chronic cough. Intensity of antireflux therapy administered and symptomatic outcome were determined by telephone interview. Univariate and logistic regression analysis were performed to identify predictors of a high degree response (HDR), defined as sustained, durable symptom improvement lasting >3 months.

RESULTS

Fifty-three subjects (mean age 63+/-2 y, 42 females) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Reflux parameters were abnormal on ambulatory pH monitoring in 54.7%. After a mean interval of 3+/-0.3 years, cough intensity improved significantly, 19 subjects (35.8%) achieving HDR. Only female sex and positive SAP predicted HDR on univariate analysis; SAP and intensity of antireflux therapy were retained as independent predictors (P<or=0.03) on logistic regression analysis. Sequential use of acid exposure time, SAP, and symptom index had the best value, with the highest likelihood of HDR when all three were positive (85.7%, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Reflux disease is a frequent cause of chronic unexplained cough and aggressive antireflux therapy forms a vital component of management. Positive SAP is an independent predictor of outcome, but hierarchical or sequential use of abnormal gastroesophageal reflux disease parameters on ambulatory pH testing has value in predicting long-term symptomatic response.

[Non-cardiac chest pain]

CONTEXT

Non-cardiac chest pain or functional chest pain is a syndrome with high prevalence in occidental world. Findings on 15%-30% of coronary angiograms performed in patients with chest pain are normal. Causes significant impact in quality of life of patients and is associated with increased use of the health care facilities.

DATA SOURCES

To this review the following data base were accessed: Medline, the Cochrane Library, LILACS. The limit was the last 5 years publications and were selected relevant original articles, reviews, consensus, guidelines and meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Forty-four papers were selected, 28 original articles, 12 reviews, 2 guidelines, 1 consensus and 1 meta-analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Exclusion of cardiac disease is of crucial importance. On the other hand non-cardiac chest pain could be related to gastrointestinal, muscular and respiratory causes and/or psychological disturbances. Treatment aims to attack mechanism generator in order to relieve or to eliminate symptoms. Drugs are the cornerstone of treatment, exception to achalasia patients because those have better response to dilation of the esophagus or surgery, and to those who need intensive psychological therapy. The most important drugs used are proton pump inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants, the latter, to modulate central signal process (visceral hypersensitivity) and autonomic response. Recently, new diagnostic facilities, and also therapeutic modalities, such as esophageal botulin toxin injection and hypnosis are under investigations. In the near future, maybe some of them would take a place in the therapeutic scenario of these patients.

Ambulatory monitoring of GERD: current technology

Various techniques have been devised to diagnose, characterize, and classify gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Stationary techniques, such as fluoroscopy and scintigraphy, provide interesting anatomic and functional information related to GER but are not sensitive enough and are usually performed in nonphysiologic conditions. Ambulatory techniques for GER monitoring have been developed and used since 1974. The current available techniques include catheter and wireless pH-metry, Bilitec, and impedance-pH monitoring. Prolonged wireless pH monitoring can be useful to evaluate patients off and on proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment. Impedance-pH monitoring is being used increasingly in patients who have persistent symptoms on PPI therapy because it can establish an association between symptoms and weakly acidic or nonacid reflux. Bilitec is performed in patients suspected to have increased duodenogastroesophageal reflux (DGER). This article discusses the technical details, clinical indications, and applications of these diagnostic techniques.

Acid reflux detection and symptom-reflux association using 4-day wireless pH recording combining 48-hour periods off and on PPI therapy

OBJECTIVES

Studies have shown that extended pH recording improves the sensitivity of esophageal pH monitoring. Controversy exists as to whether pH studies are optimally done off or on proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. The aim of this study was to incorporate periods both off and on PPI therapy in a single, extended pH test and describe the effect of PPI therapy on symptom-reflux associations.

METHODS

Sixty patients underwent 4-day pH recordings using two separate receivers calibrated to a single wireless pH capsule. Patients were off PPI therapy for days 1 and 2. Either rabeprazole 20 mg twice daily or omeprazole/sodium bicarbonate 40 mg twice daily were administered on days 3 and 4. Symptom-reflux correlation was determined by the symptom index (SI), symptom sensitivity index (SSI), and symptom association probability (SAP).

RESULTS

Twenty studies were excluded due to premature detachment (9) or incomplete data capture for >6 of the 96-h period (11). Off therapy, 14 patients (35%) had abnormal esophageal acid exposure values. On day 4, 39 patients (98%) had normal acid exposure. The number of symptoms and acid reflux events were significantly higher off PPI therapy. Furthermore, the percentage of patients with a positive SI fell from 50% off PPI to 9% on PPI (P < 0.01), whereas 63% of patients symptomatic off PPI therapy became asymptomatic on PPI therapy and could not have an SI calculated. Similarly, the SAP was abnormal in 45% of patients off PPI therapy but only 10% on PPI therapy (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Extended pH recording improves the detection of abnormal acid reflux and increases the number of recorded symptoms and acid reflux events. Combined off and on PPI therapy pH testing enhances the interpretation of pH monitoring and symptom-reflux correlations, which can be helpful in the management of patients with PPI-unresponsive gastroesophageal acid reflux symptoms.

Noncardiac chest pain

Noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) affects approximately 1 quarter of the adult population in the United States. The pathophysiology of the disorder remains to be fully elucidated. Identified underlying mechanisms for esophageal pain include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), esophageal dysmotility, and visceral hypersensitivity. Aggressive antireflux treatment has been the main therapeutic strategy for GERD-related NCCP. NCCP patients with or without spastic esophageal motor disorders are responsive to pain modulators. The value of botulinum toxin injection, endoscopic treatment for GERD, and antireflux surgery in alleviating NCCP symptoms is limited.

Asia-Pacific consensus on the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease: update

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Since the publication of the Asia-Pacific GERD consensus in 2004, more data concerning the epidemiology and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have emerged. An evidence based review and update was needed.

METHODS

A multidisciplinary group developed consensus statements using the Delphi approach. Relevant data were presented, and the quality of evidence, strength of recommendation, and level of consensus were graded.

RESULTS

GERD is increasing in frequency in Asia. Risk factors include older age, male sex, race, family history, higher socioeconomic status, increased body mass index, and smoking. Symptomatic response to a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) test is diagnostic in patients with typical symptoms if alarm symptoms are absent. A negative pH study off therapy excludes GERD if a PPI test fails. The role for narrow band imaging, capsule endoscopy, and wireless pH monitoring has not yet been undefined. Diagnostic strategies in Asia must consider coexistent gastric cancer and peptic ulcer. Weight loss and elevation of head of bed improve reflux symptoms. PPIs are the most effective medical treatment. On-demand therapy is appropriate for nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) patients. Patients with chronic cough, laryngitis, and typical GERD symptoms should be offered twice daily PPI therapy after excluding non-GERD etiologies. Fundoplication could be offered to GERD patients when an experienced surgeon is available. Endoscopic treatment of GERD should not be offered outside clinical trials.

CONCLUSIONS

Further studies are needed to clarify the role of newer diagnostic modalities and endoscopic therapy. Diagnostic strategies for GERD in Asia must consider coexistent gastric cancer and peptic ulcer. PPIs remain the cornerstone of therapy.

Endoscopic removal of the wireless pH monitoring capsule in patients with severe discomfort

BACKGROUND

Few patients have significant symptoms during wireless esophageal pH monitoring, and the capsule typically sloughs spontaneously. Severe discomfort during monitoring can occur that requires endoscopic dislodgement of the capsule.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the frequency with which endoscopic capsule dislodgement is required and the outcomes of the intervention.

DESIGN

Chart review.

SETTING

University-based outpatient endoscopy facility.

PATIENTS

A total of 452 consecutive patients undergoing wireless pH monitoring over a 3.5-year period.

INTERVENTIONS

Endoscopic dislodgement of the capsule by using nudging with the endoscope tip and cold snare techniques.

RESULTS

Eight subjects (1.8%) required endoscopic capsule dislodgement because of severe chest pain or odynophagia (n = 7) or severe foreign-body sensation (n = 1). Chest pain was the initial indication for pH monitoring in 5 (62.5%) of the subjects. Initial nudging with the endoscope tip successfully dislodged 2 capsules; continued nudging produced mucosal stripping in 3 subjects, which required hemostasis in 1. A cold snare was used successfully, without complication, to separate the capsule from stripped mucosa and as a primary removal method in the remainder of subjects. Capsule removal uniformly resulted in marked improvement of discomfort.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic removal of the capsule was required in <2% of subjects who underwent wireless pH monitoring. Separation of the capsule from the mucosa with a cold snare may be the preferred method of accomplishing uncomplicated removal.