[Efficacy, diagnostic utility and tolerance of intraesophageal pH ambulatory determination with wireless pH-testing monitoring system].

BACKGROUND

Conventional catheter-based esophageal pH monitoring system produce discomfort and interference with normal activities and diet. An alternative is the wireless pH system which is more comfortable and offers extended recording periods.

OBJECTIVE

To know the performance, the clinical utility and tolerability of wireless pH 48 h-monitoring system.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty-one consecutive patients were randomized for conventional or wireless pH-testing. Successful placement of monitoring devices and data collection were evaluated. Frequency of pathologic gastroesophageal reflux was registred with both methods. A questionnaire was applied in all the cases to know the frequency of discomfort, interference with normal activities and diet related to the study.

RESULTS

Conventional catheter-based pH-testing was performed in 21 patients and wireless system in 20. Successful placement of pH capsule was achieved in 20 of 22 patients and 48-h pH studies were completed in all of them. Pathologic gastroesophageal reflux was more frequently detected in the wireless system group (15 vs. 9 patients, p = NS). Ambulatory esophageal pH testing was well tolerated with both techniques. Chest discomfort was more frequently observed in the wireless group (11 vs. 2 patients, p = 0.005, RM 11.6, IC 95% 2.1-63.7).

CONCLUSIONS

Ambulatory pH-monitoring wireless system is an efficient and well tolerated method which could detect a high proportion of subjects with pathologic reflux in comparison with conventional system.