The effect of lifestyle changes on results of 24-h ambulatory oesophageal pH monitoring

Objectives Twenty-four-hour pH monitoring is the 'gold standard' investigat ion of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, It has been suggested that result s may be influenced by lifestyle alteration during the study. The aim of th is study was to determine the influence of lifestyle alteration and anxiety on outcome in pH monitoring. Methods One hundred consecutive patients attending for pH monitoring were r ecruited. Post-intubation anxiety was quantified (STAI form Y-1), On comple tion a questionnaire was recorded comprising six questions regarding altera tion to eating/drinking (FOOD) (score 0-6) and six regarding posture and ac tivity (ACTIVITY) (score 0-6), The higher the score the greater the alterat ion of lifestyle. A 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS) scored the degree of distress caused by the experience, pH studies were positive ii exposure times at pH < 4 were greater than established normal values or if the Sympt om Index was > 50%. Comparisons were made between patients with positive an d negative studies regarding FOOD, ACTIVITY, VAS and STAI scores. Results Patients with positive pH studies had mean FOOD (2 vs 2; P > 0.05), ACTIVITY (2 vs 2; P > 0.05), VAS (3 vs 3; P > 0.05) and STAI (31 vs 32; P > 0.05) scores which were not significantly different from those of patient s with negative pH studies. Conclusions Lifestyle alteration was minimal in patients undergoing pH moni toring, nor was the experience distressing, There was no difference in life style alteration and anxiety between those with positive and negative pH pr ofiles. 0 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.