• Charles Christian Adarkwah, Oliver Hirsch, Merlissa Menzel, and Joachim Labenz.
• Care and Public Health Research Institute, Department of Health Services Research, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
• Postgrad Med. 2023 Aug 1; 135 (6): 615622615-622.

ObjectivesThe aim of our study was to compare the results of endoscopy and manometry with regard to the presence and longitudinal size of hiatal hernias using a cohort of patients with PPI-refractory reflux symptoms. In addition, we aimed to investigate the clinical relevance of hiatal hernias and their size in relation to the occurrence of GERD.MethodsFive hundred patients with suspected GERD due to typical reflux symptoms (heartburn and regurgitation) and inadequate response to PPI therapy underwent standardized screening at a reflux center. After 2 weeks of PPI withdrawal, all patients underwent endoscopy, 24-h pH impedance measurement, and high-resolution manometry (HRM). Both endoscopy and HRM results were available for 487 patients.ResultsThere was a high correlation between the endoscopic and manometric measured longitudinal size of hernias (rho = .768 (p < .001)). Absolute differences differ on a small effect basis (Cohen's d = 0.23). The presence of hernias increases significantly with the severity of GERD, regardless of whether the hernia was diagnosed by endoscopy or manometry.ConclusionIn summary, endoscopically and manometrically measured hiatal hernia size are highly significantly correlated. Patients with refractory reflux symptoms and a hernia size of 4 cm are very likely to have GERD. In the future, this finding could greatly simplify the diagnosis of GERD.

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