Comparison of esophageal acid exposure distribution along the esophagus among the different gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) groups.

Background: Patients with nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) have the lowest esophageal acid exposure profile compared with the other gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) groups.

Aim: To compare lower esophageal acid exposure recordings 1 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) with those 6 cm above the LES as well as to determine the characteristics of esophageal acid exposure along the esophagus among the different GERD groups.

Methods: Patients with classic heartburn symptoms were enrolled into the study.

Functional heartburn patients demonstrate traits of functional bowel disorder but lack a uniform increase of chemoreceptor sensitivity to acid.

Background: Functional heartburn (FH) patients have a profound impact on the response to anti-reflux therapy of the nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) group as compared to the response of the erosive esophagitis group. Thus far, there is paucity of information about their physiological and clinical characteristics that may separate them from the other NERD patients.

Aim: To compare physiological and clinical characteristics of patients with FH to their counterparts within the NERD group (NERD-positive [NERD+]).