HOW STANDARD IS A STANDARD DAY DURING A STANDARD AMBULATORY 24-HOUR ESOPHAGEAL PH MONITORING

Background: Ambulatory 24-h esophageal pH monitoring is the gold stand ard method for measuring esophageal exposure to gastric acid. The meth od has gained acceptability because of its sensitivity, specificity, a nd accuracy and also because it is easy to perform, well tolerated, an d quite physiologic. However: whether ambulatory esophageal pH-metry a ffects normal lifestyle has not been specifically evaluated. Methods: We investigated 114 consecutive patients admitted to our Unit because of heartburn, acid regurgitation, or non-cardiac chest pain. Patients filled in a diary chart on 2 different days: 1 day while the pH-metry was performed and another normal day, to record the following variable s: number, amount, and composition of the meals; time in supine positi on. number of cigarettes smoked; alcohol intake; degree of physical ac tivity; and number and type of symptomatic episodes. Patients were enc ouraged to carry out normal activity. Results: When the 2 days were co mpared, none of the registered variables appeared to differ, with the exception of subjective evaluation of physical activity: 65% of the pa tients said their physical activity was diminished during the test day relative to their usual standard. Conclusions: Normal habits are not significantly modified by 24-h esophageal pH-metry, with the exception of physical activity, which decreases, possibly owing more to aesthet ic than to physical problems.