The Pattern of Gastroesophageal Reflux in Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.
- Author:
Theresa JANG
1
;
Baek Sun KIM
;
Sun Myung KIM
;
Kyo Young CHOO
;
Jung Hwan OH
;
Young Geun HYUN
;
Soo Heon PARK
;
Myung Gyu CHOI
;
Jun Yeol HAN
;
Jae Kwang KIM
;
In Sik CHUNG
;
Kyu Won CHUNG
;
Hee Sik SUN
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. choim@cmc.cuk.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
24-hour pH monitoring;
Gastroesophageal reflux;
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- MeSH:
Esophageal Motility Disorders;
Esophagitis;
Gastroesophageal Reflux*;
Head;
Heartburn;
Humans;
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration;
Korea;
Meals;
Supine Position
- From:Korean Journal of Gastrointestinal Motility
2000;6(2):173-179
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Generally, it is recommended for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease to sleep with the head of the bed elevated; however, many patients in Korea do not have heartburn symptoms during the night. METHODS: We investigated the pattern of acid reflux in patients who were diagnosed as having definite pathological acid reflux on 24-hour pH monitoring. RESULTS: One hundred patients were categorized into 3 groups; upright refluxer (68%), supine refluxer (2%), or combined refluxer (30%). Acid reflux was rare in supine positions but instead, usually occurred in upright positions. Acid reflux was found to occur most commonly after meals. The reflux symptoms occurred during pH monitoring with the average frequency of 5.5 times (total of 254 times) in 46 patients. The acid related symptoms were more common in the upright period and postprandially than the supine period. The presence of an esophagitis, an esophageal motility disorder, or the LES pressure did not make a significant difference between upright refluxer and supine refluxer. CONCLUSIONS: Gastroesophageal reflux was found to be rare in supine positions but usually occurred in upright positions. Gastroesophageal reflux occurred most commonly after meals, and was frequently associated with reflux symptoms.
