Comparison of three methods of intraesophageal pH recordings in the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux.

Three different periods of intraesophageal pH-recording (24 h, 12 h, and 10 h postprandially) have been compared in 20 healthy subjects and in 20 outpatients with symptoms and endoscopic signs of peptic esophagitis, to assess their relative values of sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux. No false-positive results were obtained during any of the periods, thus yielding a 100% specificity. However, the sensitivity shown by the 24-h period of esophageal pH-recording was 81%, whereas that for the 12-h period was 50% and that for 10 h postprandially 70%. Also, no significant differences were observed in terms of the patients' tolerability for the test during any of the three periods. We therefore conclude that 24-h esophageal pH-recording is the method of choice in ambulatory diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux.