BACKGROUND/AIMS: The majority of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) appear to have non-erosive reflux disease (NERD). NERD may include minimal change esophagitis (MCE) and no endoscopic abnormalities (MCE-). We aimed to determine whether intraesophageal acid reflux as well as esophageal motility differed between patients with and without MCE. METHODS: Consecutive patients with classic reflux symptoms were enrolled in the study. Patients without any mucosal injury were considered to be MCE-. Esophageal acid exposure as well as intragastric pH (<4) was determined by dual-channel ambulatory 24-hour pH monitoring. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients (MCE-, 52 patients; MCE, 48 patients) were studied. The percentage of effective peristalsis was found similar between patients with and without MCE (p = NS). Esophageal acid contact as well as the DeMeester score did not differ between the groups (p = NS). The prevalence of positive symptom index was greater in MCE- patients than in MCE patients (p = 0.001). Intragastric acidity (pH <4) was similar between MCE- and MCE groups (p = NS). CONCLUSIONS: NERD, regardless of the presence of MCE, might exhibit similar disease characteristics in terms of esophageal acid exposure and motor dysfunction.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The majority of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) appear to have non-erosive reflux disease (NERD). NERD may include minimal change esophagitis (MCE) and no endoscopic abnormalities (MCE-). We aimed to determine whether intraesophageal acid reflux as well as esophageal motility differed between patients with and without MCE. METHODS: Consecutive patients with classic reflux symptoms were enrolled in the study. Patients without any mucosal injury were considered to be MCE-. Esophageal acid exposure as well as intragastric pH (<4) was determined by dual-channel ambulatory 24-hour pH monitoring. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients (MCE-, 52 patients; MCE, 48 patients) were studied. The percentage of effective peristalsis was found similar between patients with and without MCE (p = NS). Esophageal acid contact as well as the DeMeester score did not differ between the groups (p = NS). The prevalence of positive symptom index was greater in MCE- patients than in MCE patients (p = 0.001). Intragastric acidity (pH <4) was similar between MCE- and MCE groups (p = NS). CONCLUSIONS: NERD, regardless of the presence of MCE, might exhibit similar disease characteristics in terms of esophageal acid exposure and motor dysfunction.