The Performance and Safety of Bravo Esophageal pH Monitoring in Korean Patients

Cho, Yu Kyung; Choi, Myung Gyu; Chang, Jae Hyuck; Nam, Kwan Woo; Kwon, Jung Hyun; Suh, Jung Pil; Paik, Chang Nyol; Park, Jae Myung; Lee, In Seok; Kim, Sang Woo; Chung, In Sik

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The wireless Bravo esophageal pH monitoring has been reported to be a reliable and tolerable method in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in Western countries. The aim of this study was to assess the performance and safety of the Bravo pH monitoring in Korean patients.
METHODS
Seventy two patients (M:F=37:35, 44+/-13 years) undergone 48-hour or 24-hour Bravo pH monitoring to diagnose GERD or to evaluate responses to proton pump inhibitor. Forty eight-hour monitoring was done in 62 patients and 24-hour monitoring was done in 10 patients.
RESULTS
The attachment rate of capsule was 99%. Minimum 24-hour pH data were obtained from 64 patients (89%) (poor data reception in 3 patients, early capsule detachment before 24 hours in 3 patients, inappropriate capsule attachment in 2 patients). Compared with first 24-hour data alone, 48-hour data showed 16% more patients with GERD. Ninety three percent of patients answered that their usual activities were slightly disturbed or not disturbed. In four patients who complained severe retrosternal pain after capsule insertion, endoscopy revealed contact ulcer around the capsule. However, their symptoms regressed with conservative treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
The Bravo pH monitoring is safe and tolerable in Korean patients. Extending recording time to 48-hours with the wireless pH monitoring increases the likelihood of diagnosing GERD.