Oesophageal pH has a power-law distribution in control and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease subjects
Authors: Gardner, J. D.1; Sloan, S.2; Robinson, M.3; Miner, P. B.3
Source: Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Volume 20, Numbers 11-12, December 2004 , pp. 1373-1379(7)
Publisher: Blackwell Publishing
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Abstract:
Summary Background : We are unaware of any solid theoretical or pathophysiological basis for selecting pH 4 or any other pH value to assess oesophageal acid exposure or to define oesophageal reflux episodes. Aim : To examine the frequency of different oesophageal pH values in control and GERD subjects. Methods : Oesophageal pH was measured for 24 h in 57 gastro-oesophageal reflux disease subjects and 26 control subjects. Histograms were constructed using the 21 600 values from each recording and bins of 0.25 pH units. Results : Compared with controls, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease subjects had significantly more low pH values and significantly fewer high pH values. In both gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and control subjects, the frequency of oesophageal pH values was characterized by a power-law distribution indicating that the same relationship that describes low pH values also describes high pH values, as well as all values in between. Conclusions : The distribution of oesophageal pH values indicates that a variety of different pH values can be used to assess oesophageal acid exposure, but raises important questions regarding how oesophageal reflux episodes are defined.Document Type: Research article
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2004.02278.x
Affiliations: 1: Science for Organizations, Inc., Chatham, NJ, USA 2: Janssen Pharmaceutica Inc., Titusville, NJ, USA 3: Oklahoma Foundation for Digestive Research, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
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