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Oesophageal pH has a power-law distribution in control and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease subjects
Article first published online: 6 DEC 2004
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2004.02278.x
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How to Cite
Gardner, J. D., Sloan, S., Robinson, M. and Miner, P. B. (2004), Oesophageal pH has a power-law distribution in control and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease subjects. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 20: 1373–1379. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2004.02278.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 6 DEC 2004
- Article first published online: 6 DEC 2004
- Accepted for publication 10 September 2004
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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.