역류성 식도염 환자에서 증상 발현의 의미

Background/Aims : The relationship between the symptoms and severity of GERD may be difficult to prove. The intensity and frequency of reflux induced symptoms are poor predictors of the presence or severity of an endoscopic mucosal break. The aim of this study was to determine which factors can be predicted by the presence of GERD symptoms among esophageal sensitivity to acid, abnormal acid reflux, and severity of esophagitis in pateints with reflux esophagitis. Methods : Fourty-four patients who were diagnosed with reflux esophagitis by an endoscopy at a tertiary medical facility, were given a validated questionnaire, and underwent an acid perfusion test, 24 hr ambulatory esophageal pH monitoring, and esophageal manometry. These patients were divided into a symptomatic group and asymptomatic group according to the questionaire. Comparisons between the two groups for each factor were analyzed by Chi-square. Result : Of 44 patients, 26 had symptoms and 18 did not. The positive and equivocal rates of the acid perfusion test were not different between the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups (47% vs. 39%). The abnormal reflux rate (DeMeester score >14.72) from pH monitoring was significantly higher in the symptomatic group than in the asymptomatic group (65% vs. 28%, p