GERD is best diagnosed by?: (A) 24 hour pH Monitoring, (B) Upper GI endoscopy, (C) Barium meal follow through, (D) Barium Swallow
Answer is A. Ans. (a) 24 hour pH monitoringRef.: Harrison 19th ed. / 261-2* Ambulatory 24-hour pH monitoring is the criterion standard in establishing a diagnosis of GERD, with a sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 95%. It quantifies the gastroesophageal reflux and allows a correlation between the symptoms of reflux and the episodes of reflux.* However the diagnosis can be established on basis of Upper Gastrointestinal endoscopy with esophageal manometry.