Ambulatory 24‐h oesophageal impedance–pH recordings: reliability of automatic analysis for gastro‐oesophageal reflux assessment

Oesophageal pH–impedance monitoring allows detection of acid and non‐acid gastro‐oesophageal reflux (GOR) events. Visual analysis of impedance recording requires expertise. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of an automated analysis for GOR assessment. Seventy‐three patients with suspected GORD underwent 24‐h oesophageal pH–impedance monitoring. Recordings analysis was performed visually (V) and automatically using Autoscan function (AS) of Bioview® software. A symptom index (SI) ≥50% was considered for a significant association between symptoms and reflux events. AS analysis detected more reflux events, especially non‐acid, liquid, pure gas and proximal events. Detection of oesophageal acid exposure and acid reflux events was similar with both analyses. Agreement between V and AS analysis was good (Kendall's coefficient W > 0.750, P