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Bernstein test

A provocative test for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Dilute HCl is released into the distal esophagus. Saline is used as a control. The test is positive if symptoms are reproduced during HCl infusion, but not during saline infusion. The test is thought to have a high sensitivity, but low specificity for GERD [1]. Ref 2 indicates test is neither sensitive nor specific.

Related

gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

General

clinical procedure

References

  1. Saunders Manual of Medical Practice, Rakel (ed), WB Saunders, Philadelphia, 1996, pg 298, 325
  2. Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 11, American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 1998