Effectiveness of Physiologic Testing in PPI Non-Responders

The prevalence of GERD is estimated to be as high as 20% in the US, and up to 50% remain symptomatic on proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. The clinical approach to understand the mechanism of nonresponse is not standardized, and patients will often undergo various tests: 1) pH-impedance, 2) wireless pH monitoring over 96 hours, 3) high-resolution impedance manometry (HRIM), and 4) mucosal impedance (MI). Controversy exists regarding the best technique, optimal study protocol and treatment approach for the PPI non-responder (PPINR) group, resulting in inappropriate resource utilization and a failure to provide effective personalized care. The first aim is to identify the relevant physiologic parameters of diagnostic tools in their ability to predict PPI requirement. In Aim Two, these results will be applied to guide the formal development of a clinical algorithm for the management of PPINRs with personalized clinical pathways based on mechanism of treatment failure. We will first perform a prospective comparison trial of 240 PPINR subjects at 2 sites over 4 years. Subjects will complete symptom questionnaires and undergo diagnostic testing (pH-impedance on PPI therapy, HRIM, 96-hr wireless pH monitoring off PPI therapy and MI). Those who have a positive pH study and/or resume PPI therapy will receive escalation of therapy with dexlansoprazole. We will compare the ability of 96-hr wireless pH monitoring vs pH impedance to predict PPI requirement and response to dexlansoprazole, respectively. We will explore whether MI is equivalent to 96-hr wireless pH monitoring in predicting PPI requirement. Lastly, we will determine whether HRIM metrics can be utilized to determine reflux burden, mechanism and response to treatment. Next, the investigators will develop quality measures for reflux testing in order to develop a simplified management strategy for the PPINR group. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Methodology will be utilized with an expert working group to develop forma