Relationships between sleep quality and pH monitoring findings in persons with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Background: Nighttime reflux has been shown to be associated with esophageal mucosal injury, complications, and extra-esophageal manifestations. However, few studies have assessed the impact of gastroesophageal reflux on reported quality of sleep and quality of sleep on gastroesophageal reflux.

Aims: The aims of this study were (1) to determine the correlation between the severity of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and esophageal acid contact time and subjects' perceived quality of sleep; (2) to investigate the correlation between reported quality of sleep of the night prior and severity of GERD symptoms and esophageal acid contact time the following day; and (3) to define in a sleep laboratory the correlation between acid reflux events and sleep architecture.

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+]).

Noncardiac chest pain: the role of the cardiologist--a national survey.

Background: The current assumption is that noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) patients diagnosed by a cardiologist are commonly referred to a gastroenterologist for further evaluation. Thus far, there are no studies that assess the clinical approach and referral patterns of cardiologists when evaluating subjects with NCCP.

Aim: To determine the extent of involvement of cardiologists in the management of NCCP patients.

Attitudes and referral patterns of primary care physicians when evaluating subjects with noncardiac chest pain--a national survey.

Noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) may affect up to 23% of the U.S. population.