Relationship between functional endoscopy and impedance–pH measurement

Abstract

Classic gastroenterological diagnostic tools have proven to be insufficient in identifying the causal relationship between extra-esophageal symptoms and presumed pathological reflux activity. Some new methodological approaches, such as functional endoscopy (video panendoscopy, VPE), are considered to be helpful. However, there are currently no data objectively verifying the success of this method. In a previous study, we found a good correlation between the reflux symptom index (RSI) according to Belafsky and endoscopic findings. Impedance–pH measurement is considered to be the gold standard in esophageal reflux disease diagnostics. Therefore, the relationship between endoscopic findings and the results of impedance–pH monitoring is now studied in patients with extra-esophageal reflux symptoms. The pathological findings of the VPE correlate with impedance–pH measurements regarding the parameters "number of reflux episodes," "fraction time," and "DeMeester score."

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