Role of duodenogastric reflux in duodenal ulcer recurrence

The authors studied the role of duodenogastric reflux (DGR) in the occurrence of duodenal ulcer (DU) recurrence and remission. A total of 4489 esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) protocols over 3 years were analyzed to estimate the detection rate of DGR; 100 healthy volunteers and 188 DU patients underwent 24-hour pH-metry. DGR was regularly detected in healthy individuals, more frequently during winter and summer and less during spring and autumn. The DU patients were less frequently found to have the reflux and its suppression period correlated with the higher rates of disease recurrences. These patients showed a shorter overall duration of DGR during 24 hours. It is concluded that DGR is regularly identified in healthy individuals, its frequency has seasonal variations; in DU, the reflex is shorter and more subject to seasonal variations, which coincides with the higher rate of recurrences.

duodenal ulcer, duodenogastric reflux