AMBULATORY MONITORING OF ESOPHAGEAL PH IN REFLUX ESOPHAGITIS USING A PORTABLE RADIOTELEMETRY SYSTEM

Gastroesophageal reflux was assessed in 10 symptomatic patients and 10 asymptomatic normal subjects during a study period of 24 h at work and in the home using a newly developed pH sensitive radiotelemetry capsule and a portable receiving system. Esophageal pH was continuously monitored by the tethered radiotelemetry capsule and recorded with a portable receiver and a 24-h cassette recorder, allowing the patient complete freedom of movement so that ambulatory studies could be undertaken during a normal working day. The number and duration of reflux episodes was greater in symptomatic patients than normal subjects during 24-h studies at home (P < 0.002). In both groups, reflux occurred more during the day than at night (P < 0.01). Patients refluxed significantly more at home than when they were in hospital (P < 0.01). Ambulatory outpatient esophageal pH monitoring may be useful in the management of patients with atypical symptoms and may demonstrate significant reflux when inpatient investigations and endoscopy findings show minimal abnormality.