Value of physiologic assessment of foregut symptoms in a surgical practice. Discussion

Background. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of symptoms in the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease and esophageal molity disorders as assessed by functional tests. Methods. In 365 patients referred for suspected esophageal functional disease, symptomatic assessment was compared with the results of esophageal manometry and ambulatory 24-hours pH monitoring of the distal esophagus. Results. Based on the patients'chief complaint, the symptomatic diagnosis was gastroesophageal reflux (44%), esophageal motol disorder (26%), chest ain of esophageal origin (9%), reflux and aspiration (8%), and abdominal pathology (12%)