Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2026

Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function
10:28

Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function

Published on: March 15, 2022

Clinically distinct characteristics in patients younger than 40 years old with non-cardiac chest pain

Soon Young Ko1, So-I Kim, Jeong Hwan Kim

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Digestive Disease Center, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Konkuk University Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.

Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
|May 5, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is less common in young patients with non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) but a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) trial effectively diagnoses GERD in both age groups.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Internal Medicine
  • Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

  • Non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) is a common condition with poorly understood causes in younger populations.
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a frequent contributor to NCCP in adults.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the prevalence of GERD in young (<40 years) versus average-aged (>40 years) NCCP patients.
  • To evaluate symptomatic characteristics and the efficacy of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) trial for diagnosing GERD in young NCCP patients.

Main Methods:

  • Ninety-six NCCP patients were divided into young (n=38) and average-aged (n=58) groups.
  • GERD diagnosis was based on esophagogastroduodenoscopy and/or 24-h esophageal pH monitoring.
  • A 2-week lansoprazole trial was administered to assess symptom response.

Main Results:

  • GERD prevalence was 23% in young and 38% in average-aged NCCP patients (p=0.144).
  • Typical reflux symptoms were more frequent in the GERD group across both age categories.
  • A PPI trial improved symptoms in GERD patients but not in non-GERD patients, regardless of age.

Conclusions:

  • While GERD prevalence is lower in young NCCP patients, the difference is not statistically significant.
  • A 2-week PPI trial is an effective diagnostic tool for GERD in NCCP patients of all ages.
  • A negative response to a PPI trial in young NCCP patients suggests considering extra-esophageal causes.
Abstract

More Related Videos

A Research Method For Detecting Transient Myocardial Ischemia In Patients With Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome Using Continuous ST-segment Analysis18:11

A Research Method For Detecting Transient Myocardial Ischemia In Patients With Suspected Acute Coronary Syndrome Using Continuous ST-segment Analysis

Published on: December 28, 2012

Signal Acquisition, Score Interpretation, and Economics of a Non-Invasive Point-of-Care Test for Coronary Artery Disease06:16

Signal Acquisition, Score Interpretation, and Economics of a Non-Invasive Point-of-Care Test for Coronary Artery Disease

Published on: August 9, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Angina III: Clinical Manifestations and Assessment01:29

Angina III: Clinical Manifestations and Assessment

Angina manifests as chest pain, tightness, or squeezing discomfort typically located behind the breastbone. It can radiate to the neck, jaw, shoulders, and inner aspects of the upper arms, most commonly the left arm. Patients may experience shortness of breath, fatigue, profuse sweating, dizziness, indigestion, heartburn, palpitations, anxiety, and vomiting as accompanying symptoms. This pain often lasts a few minutes and is triggered by physical exertion, emotional stress, heavy meals, or cold...
Angina II: Classification01:27

Angina II: Classification

Angina, also known as angina pectoris, is a chest pain resulting from diminished blood flow to the heart muscle and is often a symptom of coronary artery disease. Angina presents several variants with distinctive attributes, etiologies, and therapeutic approaches. The main types of angina include stable, unstable, variant (Prinzmetal's), microvascular, intractable, and silent ischemia.Stable angina is caused by atherosclerosis, which leads to the formation of plaques that narrow the coronary...
Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:19

Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Pericarditis is distinguished by inflammation of the pericardium, the fibrous sac that encases the heart. It can be acute, lasting less than six weeks, or chronic, persisting for over three months. Understanding its clinical manifestations and diagnostic findings is crucial for timely and effective management.Clinical ManifestationsWhile pericarditis can be asymptomatic, it usually presents with characteristic symptoms such as:Chest Pain: The most characteristic symptom of pericarditis is chest...
Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations01:30

Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a primary health risk worldwide, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. The condition arises from the buildup of atherosclerotic plaques within the coronary arteries, resulting in diminished blood supply to the heart muscle.The clinical manifestations of CAD vary widely, from asymptomatic stages to severe, life-threatening conditions. Understanding these manifestations is crucial for early diagnosis and effective management.Angina Pectoris: The Warning...
Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations01:19

Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations

The pathophysiology of Acute Coronary Syndrome [ACD] involves several key processes:The main underlying cause of ACD is atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the buildup of lipid-laden plaques within the coronary arteries.As the atherosclerotic plaque grows in the coronary artery, it may become unstable due to the formation of a lipid-rich core and a thin fibrous cap. Inflammatory cells within the plaque, such as macrophages, secrete enzymes that degrade the...
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies01:30

Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies

Diagnosing acute coronary syndrome or ACS begins with a thorough patient history. Notable symptoms include central, crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm, neck, jaw, or back, along with shortness of breath, sweating (diaphoresis), nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and palpitations.It is crucial to note any history of cardiac illnesses and assess risk factors, including age, gender, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and a sedentary lifestyle.During physical examination, vital...