Dental Erosion in Patients With Gastro-oesophageal Reflux

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
Not only caries but also exposure to acids can lead to loss of tooth structure. This acid-related tooth structure loss is defined as dental erosion. A relationship between dental erosion and occurence of reflux disease was shown in numerous studies. On the one hand, patients with dental erosions frequently show reflux disease. On the other hand, many - but not all - reflux patients show dental erosions. It is believed that certain salivary parameters might explain, why not all reflux patients alike are affected of dental erosions. The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship and the extent of occurrence of dental erosions and reflux symptoms, including investigation of certain salivary parameters.

Official Title
-----------------
Dental Erosion in Patients With Gastro-oesophageal Reflux

Conditions
-----------------
Dental Erosion

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Other: Collection of saliva samples
* Other: Visual detection of BEWE-index


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: Patients who are treated at the Clinic for Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology and have a 24-hours pH monitoring or impedance measurement performed for medical reasons Exclusion Criteria: Inability to give written consent Age <18 years Intake of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) if they are not discontinued at least one week before study participation

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
No

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Reflux patients<br>Patients who are treated at the Clinic for Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology and have a 24-hours pH monitoring or impedance measurement performed for medical reasons | Other: Collection of saliva samples<br>* Collection of saliva samples<br>Other: Visual detection of BEWE-index<br>* Visual detection of BEWE-index<br>|

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Visual assessment of the BEWE-(basic erosive wear examination)-index |  | After removal of the probe (on second day) | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Determination of unstimulated and stimulated saliva flow rate (ml/min). |  | While wearing the probe at three time points over 24h: morning, noon, evening | 
| Determination of saliva pH and buffer capacity (mol/L). |  | While wearing the probe at three time points over 24h: morning, noon, evening | 
| Determination of total protein content in saliva (g/L). |  | While wearing the probe at three time points over 24h: morning, noon, evening | 
| Determination inorganic calcium and phosphate in saliva (mmol/L). |  | While wearing the probe at three time points over 24h: morning, noon, evening | 
| Measurement of salivary enzyme activity: Protease, Kollagenase/Gelatinase, Pepsin, Trypsin, and Amylase (U/mL). |  | While wearing the probe at three time points over 24h: morning, noon, evening |