Table 1

Spatial variation in parameters of intragastric acidity

ParameterpH sensor
Gastric 1 (3 cm)Gastric 2 (6 cm)Gastric 3 (9 cm)
Data presented as mean (SE).
*p < 0.05, **p < 0.005, ***p < 0.0005 compared with gastric 1.
†p < 0.05 compared with gastric 2.
Baseline pH (before feed)2.6 (0.4)1.8 (0.2)2.1 (0.3)
Maximum pH (after feed)7.3 (0.2)6.8 (0.1)*6.6 (0.3)*
Minimum pH (after feed)1.4 (0.2)1.1 (0.1)1.3 (0.1)
Time to reach maximum pH (min)35 (3)24 (2)**29 (3)
Time to reach minimum pH (min)197 (7)161 (10)**164 (12)*
Time to reach pH 4 (min)136 (7)91 (8)***82 (9)**
Mean pH
    0–1 hours6.9 (0.2)6.0 (0.2)5.7 (0.4)
    1–2 hours6.0 (0.2)3.5 (0.4)***3.7 (0.4)***
    2–3 hours2.8 (0.3)2.0 (0.3)**2.7 (0.3)†
    3–4 hours1.9 (0.3)1.8 (0.3)3.1 (0.5)*†