Author/Editor     Orel, Rok; Vidmar, Gaj
Title     Do acid and bile reflux into the esophagus simultaneously? Temporal relationship between duodenogastro-esophageal reflux and esophageal pH
Type     članek
Source     Pediatr Int
Vol. and No.     Letnik 49, št. 2
Publication year     2007
Volume     str. 226-31
Language     eng
Abstract     Background: Duodenogastro-esophageal reflux (DGER) is an important factor in the pathogenesis of reflux esophagitis. Animal studies have demonstrated that the injurious effect of duodenal juice components depends on pH. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the temporal relationship between DGER and esophageal pH. Methods: Seventy-six children with symptoms of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (27 without, 31 with mild, 18 with severe esophagitis) underwent 24 h simultaneous esophageal pH and bilirubin monitoring with Bilitec 2000. The recordings were analyzed for (i) pH at the beginning of DGER episodes; (ii) relative duration of DGER in eight defined pH intervals of 1 pH unit; and (iii) differences in relative duration of DGER between the three groups of children. Results: DGER episodes most frequently began at pH between 6 and 7. DGER was present in the esophagus across the spectrum of esophageal pH, with the biggest relative duration between pH 3 and 5. However, in children without esophagitis relative duration of DGER was longest between pH 5 and 6, in children with mild esophagitis between pH 4 and 5, while in those with severe esophagitis it was between pH 2 and 4 (P < 0.001). Conclusions: DGER appears across the whole esophageal pH spectrum. The more severe the esophagitis, the lower the pH at which DGER occurs, resulting in simultaneous damaging effects of acid and duodenal juice components.
Descriptors     GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX
DUODENOGASTRIC REFLUX
HYDROGEN-ION CONCENTRATION
BILIRUBIN
ESOPHAGITIS, PEPTIC
CHILD