Symptom evaluation
reflux
REFLUX, REFLUX

Patient demographics were entered into a predesigned form. At initial screening, symptom assessment was performed using a validated questionnaire, GERDQ

Esophageal high resolution manometry (Trace 1.2.3a V software; Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia) and a 24-hour pH impedance study were performed in all patients at baseline. The latter was done with the ZepHr Impedance/pH Reflux Monitoring System (Sandhill Scientific, Highlands Ranch, Colorado, USA), and was visually checked for inaccuracy at 3-minute intervals by an expert reader who had experience of reading more than 1000 multichannel intraluminal impedance pH studies. The recording time was at least 24 hours. The total number of reflux episodes, DeMeester score, and total AET were noted. The results were considered abnormal if the esophageal AET was ≥ 6 % and was calculated for each patient after excluding abnormal readings
