Korean J Gastroenterol.  2001 Jan;37(1):1-6.

24 Hour Ambulatory Esophageal Dual Probe pH Monitoring in Healthy Adults

• Chun HJ
• Lee SW
• Choi JH
• Kim CD
• Ryu HS
• Hyun JH

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ambulatory 24-hr esophageal pH monitoring is considered the gold standard for diagnosing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The aims of this study were to define normal value of proximal and distal esophageal pH monitoring in healthy Koreans and to determine pH criteria that optimally defines acid reflux in the proximal esophagus.
METHODS
Twenty-five healthy subjects underwent 24 hr ambulatory esophageal dual probe pH monitoring. The pH values of the proximal and distal esophagus were measured and delta pH in the proximal esophagus was calculated. delta H was then used to determine the likelihood of a true reflux event.
RESULTS
In the proximal esophagus, the mean total fraction time at pH <4 was 0.27% and the 95th percentile was 0.95%. In the distal esophagus, the mean total fraction time at pH <4 was 1.42% and the 95th percentile was 3.63%. Proximal esophageal acid reflux was significantly associated with distal esophageal acid reflux when the proximal esophageal reflux occurred at pH <4 and delta H > or = 2.
CONCLUSIONS
In healthy Koreans, the reflux parameters were similar to those of Western populations. Optimal criteria for proximal esophageal acid reflux was delta pH > or = 2 and pH <4.

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Esophageal pH Monitoring
Esophagus
Gastroesophageal Reflux
Humans
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration*
Proton-Motive Force
Reference Values