Liuqin Jiang, Bixing Ye, Ying Wang, Meifeng Wang, and Lin Lin. J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2017;23:64-71. https://doi.org/10.5056/jnm16047

Yan Wang, Meihui Lv, Lin Lin,* and Liuqin Jiang*. J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2023;29:306-13. https://doi.org/10.5056/jnm21240

Yan Wang, Bixing Ye, Meifeng Wang, Lin Lin, and Liuqin Jiang. J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2021;27:525-32. https://doi.org/10.5056/jnm20073

Background/Aims It is known that post-reflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave (PSPW) index represents the chemical clearance of the esophagus. However, few studies have explored why some reflux episodes could induce PSPW while others in the same patient could not. The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of reflux episodes which could elicit PSPW. Methods In this study, 269 reflux episodes were detected, of which 90 with a PSPW and 179 without a PSPW. Comparisons were made between the characteristics of reflux episodes with a PSPW and without a PSPW. The characteristics were including nadir pH, pH drop, proximal extent (cm, sec), ascending velocity (cm/sec), volume clearance time, acid clearance time, percentage acidic (%), 15 to 60-minute acid burden (seconds), and 15- to 60-minute volume burden (seconds). The characteristics between the 2 groups were compared through performing Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results Reflux episodes followed by a PSPW were significantly associated with a higher proximal extent than those without a PSPW. After the reflux episodes, higher volume clearance time and larger volume burden were more likely to trigger a PSPW. However, there were no significant differences between the 2 groups in nadir pH, pH drop, ascending velocity, acid clearance time, percentage acidic, or acid burden. Conclusions The role of acid seems to be less important in a reflux episode inducing a PSPW. Proximal reflux episodes are more likely to induce a PSPW. The depression of volume clearance may also be an important factor in eliciting a PSPW.