Application of combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and 24 h esophageal pH monitoring in the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Objective To investigate the application of combined multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII) and 24 h esophageal pH monitoring in gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD),especially in pH (- )GERD patients.Methods Forty-eight patients underwent combined MII and 24 h pH monitoring, and patients were divided into pH(- ) GERD and pH(+ ) GERD group according to Demeester score. The normal values of 20 healthy volunteers who underwent MII and 24 h pH monitoring were served as controls.Results The acid reflux frequency,ambulatory alimentary bolus exposure time and total alimentary bolus exposure of GERD were relatively higher than those in control group respectively(P = 0.01,P =0.002,P =0.03),the non-acid reflux frequency in GERD group were relatively lower than those in control group(P =0.002).The ambulatory alimentary bolus exposure time of pH(- )GERD were relatively higher than that in normal group(P =0.015),the weak base reflux frequency of pH(- ) GERD were relatively lower than that in control group(P =0.022).The non-acid reflux frequency and ambulatory alimentary bolus exposure time of pH(- ) GERD were relatively higher than those in pH(+) GERD(P=0.02,P=0.04).Conclusion Combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and 24 h esophageal pH monitoring is helpful in the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease,especially in the pH(- ) GERD patients.