Standard acid reflux testing revisited

Patients who present with uncontrolled esophageal acid reflux symptoms require endoscopy to determine the presence or absence of ulcers and stenoses, acid reflux testing to determine if acid reflux is present, and manometry to evaluate esophageal peristalsis and spastic states. These studies are usually done in stages, at separate times. Esophageal manometry catheters currently in use have an incorporated infusion channel. This allows instillation of a dilute acid meal after esophageal manometry has been completed. Standard acid reflux testing can then be done using dynamic positioning and physiologic maneuvers. When combined with an esophagogastroduodenas copy (EGD), these three studies provide all information necessary within 2-3 h to determine further treatment of these patients. A total of 210 patients underwent these studies. A hiatus hernia was present in 84%. An ineffective lower esophageal sphincter was found in 64%. Esophageal hypocontractility was present in 18%, hypercontractility in 14%, and dysmotility in 36%. Upper esophageal sphincter was weak in 42%, hypercontractile in 42%, and dysmotile in 32%. Acid reflux disease was found in the hiatus hernia in 14% and acid reflux to the level of the lower esophagus in 16%, middle esophagus in 13%, and upper esophagus in 40%. Distal esophagitis was present in 47%, esophageal ulceration in 29%, gastric prolapse in 11%, gastritis in 52%, bile reflux disease in 10%, and Barrett's epithelium in 5%. In conclusion, an extremely high number of patients with esophageal acid reflux disease show dysmotility patterns. Standard acid reflux testing using dynamic positioning will identify most patients with significant acid reflux disease. When combined with an EGD, complete testing for acid reflux disease can be performed at one setting. Further study is needed comparing dynamic acid reflux testing to 24-h pH testing.