Evaluation of Noncardiac Chest Pain (NCCP) in Iranian Patients with Nonerosive Reflux Disease (NERD) based on 24-Hour Multichannel Intraluminal Impedance-pH (MII-PH) Monitoring Tests

Abstract

Background/Aims: The noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) remains a challenge in diagnosis and management. This symptom has a different etiology but suggests that gastroesophageal disease is the most common of NCCP. Method: This study was conducted on 715 participants aged 11 to 63 years, with the chief complaint of regurgitation and NCCP. The esophageal manometry and multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (MIIPH) monitoring tests were performed based on off proton pump inhibitors therapy in all patients. Results: The NCCP was more prevalent in males (61.5%) than in females (38.5%) and more prevalent in patients younger than 50 years (69.1%). The mean DeMeester score value was higher in NCCP group (45.5±10.8). Of the patients with NCCP, 41.4% showed a pathological esophageal acid exposure time (EAET). Moreover, acid (24.7%), gas (45.8%) and mixed reflux episodes (55.6%) were more prevalent in patients with NCCP in supine position than those with regurgitation. Conclusions: The present study revealed that acid, gas, and mixed reflux episodes were more prevalent in patients with noncardiac chest pain (NCCP) than those with regurgitation, mostly in supine position, however, the differences were not significant between the 2 groups (p>0.05). Furthermore, NCCP was more prevalent in males and patients younger than 50 years.