A new method of diagnosis of the hiatal hernia associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease.

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common gastroduodenal diseases. The relationship between the hiatal hernia and the GERD is established. It is advisable to develop an accessible non-invasive diagnostic method for this combined pathology. The aim of the research was to estimate measuring of calcium in patients' saliva samples as simple non-invasive diagnostic method of GERD associated with the hiatal hernia.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The samples of saliva were obtained from 37 patients with hiatal hernia associated with GERD and 22 healthy volunteers. The content of calcium in saliva was measured using calcium-sensitive dye Arsenazo III by photometrical method at a wavelength of 590-650 nm.

RESULTS: Results: It has been established that in the saliva of patients with hiatal hernia, the calcium content was increased by 100.9% compared to the control group. Such a significant increase in the level of calcium in the saliva of patients with hiatal hernia may be due to the fact that the development of this pathology is a disorder of calcium homeostasis.

CONCLUSION: Conclusions: It has been found that the calcium content in the saliva of patients with hiatal hernia exceeded the norm almost twice. Thus, the determination of calcium content in saliva can be used as a simple non-invasive diagnostic marker of hiatal hernia associated with GERD.