Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is defined as the reflux of gastric content into the esophagus that causes troublesome symptoms or complications. Nine to 30% of the population suffers from GERD-suggestive symptoms (heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, chronic couch, sore throat). In the absence of warning signs, proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are prescribed as first-line treatment. However, 20 to 60% of patients are unsatisfied because of persistent symptoms when taking PPI. Causes of persistent symptoms are: erroneous diagnosis of GERD (up to 50% of PPI non-responders), rumination syndrome, excessive weakly acid reflux on PPI due to defective esophago-gastric junction or an excessive number of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations (main mechanism of GERD), poor acid secretion inhibition on PPI, and non-compliance to therapy. Complementary examinations are indicated to explain persistent GERD symptoms. Upper gastro-intestinal endoscopy is performed first to rule out an esophageal tumor and to identify erosive esophagitis, a specific sign of GERD. However, it is normal in up to 70% of symptomatic GERD patients. Direct detection of reflux episodes is then requested to confirm GERD. The gold standard for reflux detection is the ambulatory measurement of esophageal pH for 24 to 96 hours using a catheter (catheter-based pH-monitoring) or a capsule clipped into the esophagus (wireless pH-monitoring). Reflux episodes are defined as an esophageal pH \< 4. Another method of reflux detection is based on liquid and gas detection in the esophagus using pH-impedance monitoring. Recently the combination of impedance and esophageal pressure monitoring, called esophageal high resolution impedance manometry (HRIM) was introduced to simultaneously identify reflux episodes and their mechanisms. It has several advantages over esophageal pH measurement: shorter recording duration (1 or 2 hours post prandial) and identification of reflux mechanisms that might guide the choice of the best therapeutic option.
Hypothesis: The 1-hour post prandial esophageal HRIM might be useful to diagnose GERD.
Patient older than 18 years
Typical symptoms of GERD (heartburn, regurgitation) at least twice a week despite PPI therapy for at least one month.
Reflux Disease Questionnaire (RDQ) score off PPI > 3
Subject with health insurance
Previous esophago-gastric surgery,
Previous history of developing esophageal or gastric tumor, esophageal stricture, or esophageal varices
Pregnancy (assessment at V0)
Contraindication to general anesthesia,
Single group
Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy
Procedure/SurgeryAn upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy will be performed at V1. Four esophageal biopsies will be taken in both the proximal and the distal esophagus.
Wireless pH monitoring
Procedure/SurgeryWireless pH monitoring will be performed at V1. The pH capsule will be clipped into the esophagus during the upper GI endoscopy. The esophageal pH will be recorded for 96 hours (ambulatory recording).
Post prandial esophageal High Resolution Impedance Manometry
Procedure/SurgeryPost prandial esophageal HRIM will be performed at V2. The recording will be started after transnasal insertion of the HRIM probe. A standardized meal will be given to the patient (Big Mac, medium portion of French fries, orange juice). The recording will be realized for one hour after the end of the meal.
pH-impedance monitoring
Procedure/Surgery24-h pH-impedance monitoring on PPI will be performed at V3. A transnasal catheter will be inserted into the esophagus and the recording will be performed for 24 hours (ambulatory recording).
Number of reflux episodes identified on the post prandial HRIM
The diagnostic performance of the number of reflux episodes measured by 1-hour post prandial HRIM will be evaluated by estimating the Area Under the ROC Curve and its 95% confidence interval. The gold standard to define GERD will be based on esophageal pH measurements with capsule (GERD is defined as acid exposure time (AET; percentage of total time with esophageal pH \< 4) greater than 6% for at least one day on wireless pH monitoring).
Acid exposure time measured on wireless pH-monitoring
The diagnosis of GERD based on pH-monitoring. The diagnosis of GERD is positive if acid exposure time (AET; percentage of total time with esophageal pH \< 4) is greater than 6% for at least one day on wireless pH monitoring. The diagnosis of GERD is negative (ie absence of GERD) if the AET is below 4% during the 4 days of wireless monitoring. In the other instance , the diagnosis of GERD is uncertain.
Reflux mechanisms defined on post prandial HRIM
Description of the reflux mechanisms associated with reflux episodes: rumination, transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (TLESR), defective esophago-gastric junction (EGJ) or unknown.
Baseline impedance measured on post prandial HRIM
Measure of baseline impedance on a period without swallow 3 and 5 cm above the proximal border of the esophago-gastric junction
Resting pressure of the esophago-gastric junction
Measure of the resting pressure of the esophago-gastric junction on a period without swallowing
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