Farrokhi F, Hill E, Sun G, et al. Am J Gastro. 2007;102(S2).

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare the internal consistency of the new distal esophageal Dx-pH probe with the standard of care Sandhill pH probe.

RESULTS: A total of 11 patients (5 male and 6 female) with mean (range) age of 40.9 (21–59) constituted the study population. 72.7% and 45.4% of the patients were complaining of daily heartburn and regurgitation, respectively. No statistically significant (P < 0.05) differences were found between the Dx-pH and Sandhill devices for the number of times pH < 4, pH < 5, or pH < 6. The Dx-pH probe spent consistently more time at pH < 4 (P = 0.131), pH < 5 (P = 0.049), and pH < 6 (P = 0.01) than the Sandhill probe (Table 1.).

CONCLUSION: Dx-probe identifies reflux events in the distal esophagus similar to current standard pH catheter but it has less variability. The clinical potential of this diagnostic device will need to be tested in patients with extraesophageal GERD.