Diagnosis of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
The diagnosis of GERD is clinical and depends on the symptoms, however it is possible the objectification medical pathology by some studies.
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is the most used test for the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux. It can detect esophageal mucosal lesions such as erosions and ulcers that are caused by gastroesophageal reflux. When you find can diagnose esophagitis. You can also diagnose hiatal hernia predisposes to reflux. It is possible that this study is common in a patient with normal GOR. When there is reflux and erosions are not found, it usually is classified as gastroesophageal reflux disease nonerosive.
Measuring pH of 24 hours is a study in which, as its name implies, is monitored through a tube into the esophagus, the pH of the esophagus. The patient has symptoms and scored when the study is read later by the physician. Often, the symptoms associated with reflux episodes (lower pH measurement) but this does not always happen.
Another study used is esophageal manometry, which measures the LES pressure and mobility of the esophagus associated with fluid intake.
Another more advanced study is the impedance difference that records and passage through the esophagus solid (bolus), liquid (reflux) and gas, while registering a 24-h pH monitoring It is particularly useful when the reflux of acidic substances (which have a high pH) but produce symptoms, such as pepsin and bile acids. The principle is based on measuring differences in electrical conductivity in the distal esophagus caused by the presence of various substances in the light of it, therefore not dependent on the pH of the liquid associated with reflux.
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