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Acid Perfusion Test: A Useful Test for Evaluating Esophageal Acid Sensitivity

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Abstract

The acid perfusion test (APT) is a test of esophageal acid sensitivity. In gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), the APT has largely been superseded by indexes derived from 24-hr esophageal pH monitoring: symptom index (SI), symptom sensitivity index (SSI), and symptom association probability (SAP). To evaluate the role of APT in patients with GERD we compared values of SI, SSI, and SAP in 126 APT+ and 146 APT− patients. Median values for SI, SSI, and SAP were higher in the APT+ compared with the APT− group (P < 0.001). More patients had a positive SI, SSI, and SAP in the APT+ compared with the APT– group (SI, P < 0.0001; SSI and SAP, P < 0.001). Patients with a negative APT were unlikely to have symptoms caused by acid reflux (negative predictive value, 86%). APT may be useful in detecting acid sensitivity in patients who do not report symptoms on 24-hr esophageal pH monitoring.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterology, Hemel Hempstead General Hospital, Hillfield Road, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP2 4AD

    Alistair L. King PhD

  2. Oesophageal Laboratory, St Thomas’ Hospital, Lambeth Palace Road, London, SE1 7EH, UK

    Angela Anggiansah & Roy Anggiansah BSc

  3. Department of Gastroenterology, St Thomas’ Hospital, Lambeth Palace Road, London, SE1 7EH, UK

    Terry Wong MD

  4. Department of Gastroenterology, Hemel Hempstead General Hospital, Hillfield Road, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP2 4AD, UK

    Alistair L. King PhD

Authors
  1. Alistair L. King PhD
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  2. Angela Anggiansah
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  3. Roy Anggiansah BSc
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  4. Terry Wong MD
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Correspondence to Alistair L. King PhD.

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King, A.L., Anggiansah, A., Anggiansah, R. et al. Acid Perfusion Test: A Useful Test for Evaluating Esophageal Acid Sensitivity. Dig Dis Sci 50, 1611–1615 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-005-2904-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-005-2904-2

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