RT Journal
A1 Campos GR, Peters JH, DeMeester TR, Öberg S, Crookes PF, Mason RJ
T1 THe pattern of esophageal acid exposure in gastroesophageal reflux disease influences the severity of the disease
JF Archives of Surgery
JO Archives of Surgery
YR 1999
FD August 1
VO 134
IS 8
SP 882
OP 888
DO 10.1001/archsurg.134.8.882
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archsurg.134.8.882
AB Hypothesis 
    There is an independent association between the different patterns of esophageal acid exposure in gastroesophageal reflux disease and the severity of the disease.Design 
    Case-comparison study.Setting 
    Department of surgery at a university hospital.Patients 
    A group of 401 patients with increased esophageal acid exposure divided into 4 groups according to the pattern of reflux: postprandial (n=41), upright (n=74), supine (n=129), and bipositional (n=157).Main Outcome Measures 
    The prevalence of mucosal injury and the status of the lower esophageal sphincter and esophageal motility were assessed in each group.Results 
    The likelihood of having indicators of the severity of gastroesophageal reflux disease increases progressively from postprandial to upright, supine, and bipositional reflux.Conclusions 
    The pattern of esophageal acid exposure in gastroesophageal reflux disease is an objective predictor of the severity of disease and could be used for therapeutic decisions.