The Application of Microridge Analysis in the Diagnosis of Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease

Background: The percentage of epithelial surface area covered by microridges (%MR) seen during scanning electron microscopy of oesophageal biopsy specimens has previously been shown to correlate with symptomatic reflux disease, a result less than or equal to 35% being abnormal. The aim of this study was to compare %MR with endoscopy, light microscopy, and pH monitoring results. Methods: Sixty-seven patients with heartburn were divided into oesophagitis or none on the basis of endoscopy and light microscopy findings and into those with and without abnormal acid reflux on the basis of pH monitoring. Results: The endoscopic and light microscopic oesophagitis groups had significantly greater degrees of acid reflux than those without oesophagitis (p < 0.05), even though neither the specific %MR nor the number of patients below the 35% cutoff showed any difference between those with and without endoscopic oesophagitis, light microscopic oesophagitis or those with normal and abnormal acid reflux on pH monitoring. Conclusion: Despite the significant relationship between endoscopic and light microscopic oesophagitis and abnormal pH monitoring, microridge analysis did not correlate with any of these variables.