Een 24-uurs-pH-meting bij mensen met een verstandelijke handicap; belastend, maar uitvoerbaar onderzoek om gastro-oesofageale reflux te diagnosticeren

To determine the applicability and value of 24-hour pH registration among mentally disabled persons.

Design

Prospective study.

Method

During the period 1988/'93 (5 years) 24-hour pH registrations were performed in mentally disabled persons living in an institution in or round Assen, the Netherlands, in whom gastro-oesophageal reflux was suspected. After the registration, the patient or group leader was interviewed about the degree of stress.

Results

Ninety-five registrations were carried out in 65 patients: 35 males and 29 females aged 8-62 years (mean: 35). Nine of the 65 patients pulled out the tube so that the registration was unsuccessful, while in three there were technical problems at first but a second registration was successful. In 54 (/65; 83) there were signals that the positioning of the probe was stressful and in 13 patients (20) the whole period was stressful. We did not see complications. Of these 56 patients 42 (75) had pathological oesophageal reflux (pH < 4 for more than 5.6 of the time).

Conclusion

The 24-hour pH registration in mentally disabled subjects was a stressful examination for the patients but did not lead to complications. The registration was often successful; in three-quarters of the patients the readings indicated gastro-oesophageal reflux.