Applying Lyon Consensus criteria in the work‐up of patients with proton pump inhibitory‐refractory heartburn

Summary Background A hierarchical approach for gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) diagnosis by impedance‐pH monitoring was proposed by the Lyon Consensus, based on acid exposure time (AET) and supportive impedance metrics. Aims To establish the clinical value of Lyon Consensus criteria in the work‐up of patients with proton pump inhibitory (PPI)‐refractory heartburn. Methods Expert review of off‐therapy impedance‐pH tracings from unproven GERD patients with PPI‐refractory heartburn prospectively evaluated at referral centers. Impedance metrics, namely total reflux episodes, postreflux swallow‐induced peristaltic wave index, and mean nocturnal baseline impedance, were assessed. Expert review of on‐therapy preoperative impedance‐pH tracings from a separate cohort of surgically treated erosive/nonerosive GERD cases. Results Off‐therapy, normal, inconclusive, and abnormal AET was found in 59%, 17%, and 23% of 317 cases. Supportive evidence of GERD was provided by abnormal impedance metrics in up to 22% and 62% of cases in the normal and inconclusive AET groups, respectively. Adding the cases with inconclusive AET and abnormal impedance metrics to the abnormal AET group, a significant increase in GERD evidence was observed (from 23% to 37% of cases, p < 0.0002). At the on‐therapy presurgical evaluation, abnormal/inconclusive AET and supraphysiological values of impedance metrics showed ongoing reflux in 21% and 90% of 96 cases, respectively ( p < 0.00001); a relationship between on‐therapy ongoing reflux and PPI‐refractory heartburn was confirmed by the favorable surgical outcome at 3‐year follow‐up, 88% of cases being in persistent off‐PPI heartburn remission. Conclusions Impedance‐pH monitoring, off‐ and on‐therapy, is of high clinical value in the work‐up of patients with PPI‐refractory heartburn.