Wireless oesophageal pH monitoring: establishing values in a multiracial cohort of asymptomatic Asian subjects.

Background: Wireless oesophageal (Bravo) readings in healthy European and American subjects show varied results. Values in Asians remain unstudied.
Aims: We performed Bravo studies in healthy Asians to determine if values differed from previously published and identified reflux parameters to differentiate healthy volunteers from patients.
Methods: Fifty healthy volunteers were recruited between August 2009 and August 2011 to undergo 48 h wireless pH monitoring. Bravo capsule was introduced transorally and placed 6 cm above the squamocolumnar junction. Acid reflux parameters were compared against 41 patients previously evaluated for non-erosive reflux disease.
Results: Five volunteers were excluded. Capsule dislodgement occurred in four and three volunteers on study days 1 and 2 respectively. Forty and 37 volunteers (73% male, mean age 33.0 ± 7.6 years) had interpretable readings at 24 and 48 h, respectively. Percentage of time oesophageal pH<4 in 37 volunteers who completed 48 h recordings was 1.6% (7.5%), 1.5% (6.3%) and 1.9% (5.8%) on days 1, 2 and overall study duration, respectively.
Conclusion: Bravo readings in Asians differed from previously published. Percentage of time oesophageal pH<4 on day 2 and DeMeester score on day 2 (95th percentile 22.9) best discriminated healthy volunteers from patients.
(Copyright © 2012 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)