Ambulatory intragastric pH monitoring: clinical laboratory to clinical practice.

Intragastric pH monitoring has become an important tool, used in the clinical laboratory to assess pharmacodynamic profiles of antisecretory agents. The technique is standardized, reproducible, and reliable. We have been able to compare antisecretory agents head-to-head, develop an understanding of interindividual variability in pH control with proton pump inhibitors, evaluate the role of H. pylori and its effect on intragastric pH, and gain insight into the potential role of genetic variation in cytochrome p450 status and its effect on pH control. These laboratory experiences can be used in clinical practice to aid in management of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease.