Nocturnal Intragastric pH Measurements

Abstract

Nocturnal gastric pH changes were registered in 62 patients with a combined gastric electrode. The time within the pH ranges 0-4 and pH > 4 are compared. In 11 controls 96.4% of total investigation time is in the acid range pH 0-4. In comparison 85.5% in 7 cases with reflux-esophagitis, 96% for 9 patients with reflux-symptomatology without esophagitis, 36.9% in 14 consecutive gastric ulcers, 33.7% in 13 patients with pyloric reflux on gastroscopy, 70.5% in 8 cases with antral and erosive gastritis. The results are discussed. The author assumes that nocturnal alkaline spikes are mainly due to pyloric regurgitation.

Key-words:

• Esophagitis
• gastric acidity determination
• hydrogen ion concentration
• peptic ulcer
• pylorus
• stomach