[The relationship of duodenogastric reflux symptoms with the quantity of intragastric bilirubin].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of the symptoms of duodenogastric reflux (DGR) with the quantity of intragastric bilirubin. METHODS: An apparatus (Bilitec 2000) was used for the monitoring of 24-hour intragastric bile in 18 menopause patients with functional dyspepsia (MPFD) accompanied with the symptoms, such as heartburn, epigastric pain, nausea and vomiting. RESULTS: In most of the time, the symptoms of DGR appeared when intragastric bilirubin could be detected by Bilitec 2000. Furthermore, the severity of symptoms showed good correlation with the amount of bile refluxed into stomach. CONCLUSIONS: It may be not necessary to monitor 24-hour intragastric bilirubin by using Bilitec 2000 for only diagnosis of DGR. To obtain objective evidences for DGR, the monitoring duration may be decided on the basis of obvious symptoms. This modification would be helpful to enhancing the compliance of patients in clinical trial.