Effect of alginate in patients with GERD hiatal hernia matters

Alginate-based formulations are frequently used as add-on proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy to help control of heartburn and regurgitation. There are limited data regarding the mechanisms and effects of alginate-based formulations. We aimed to evaluate the effects of the sodium alginate intake and its likely temporal relations on intraesophageal reflux events by MII-pH in patients with and without hiatal hernia (HH). Fifty GERD patients (18 with HH, 32 without HH) with heartburn or regurgitation once a week or more common were included. After combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH-metry (MII-pH) had been performed, all patients were asked to eat the same standard meal (double cheeseburger, 1 banana, 100 g regular yoghurt, and 200 mL water with total energy value of 744 kcal: 37.6% of carbohydrates, 21.2% of proteins, and 41.2% of lipids) during two consecutive days. On separate random two consecutive days, all patients took 10 mL of sodium alginate (GA; Gaviscon Advance; Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare, Hull, UK) or 10 mL of water, 30 minutes after the refluxogenic meal. After eating refluxogenic meal, patients were examined ½ hour for basal conditions, 1 hour in upright, and 1 hour in supine positions. Alginate significantly decreased acid reflux after intake at the first hour in comparison to water in patients with HH (6.1 vs. 13.7, P = 0.004) and without HH (3.5 vs. 5.5, P = 0.001). Weakly acid reflux were increased at the first hour in patients with HH (3.4 vs. 1.3, P = 0.019) and without HH (1.7 vs. 5, P = 0.02) compared to water. There was no distinctive effect of alginate on the height of proximal migration of reflux events in patients with HH and without HH. Alginate decreases acid reflux events within a limited time period, especially at the first hour both in patients with and without HH. Alginate has no effect on the height of reflux events along the esophagus both in patients with and without HH.