Peptest is a non-invasive solution to for reflux. The testing kit, developed by RD BIOMED, measures a patient’s saliva/sputum for levels of pepsin, an enzyme found only in the stomach.
If a patient’s Peptest is positive for pepsin, it would suggest that they are suffering from reflux, which can also be an indicator of other reflux-associated conditions. Without early diagnosis and treatment reflux can lead to severe damage to the oesophagus (erosive oesophagitis) and to a pre-cancerous condition called Barrett’s Oesophagus which in some cases can lead to oesophageal cancer. Current reflux detection methods are time-consuming and unpleasant for the patient. Tests to confirm laryngopharangeal reflux, for example, include dual channel 24-hour PH monitoring or multi-channel intraluminal impedance measurement. Both require the patient having a catheter inserted down their nose, into the stomach and taped in place for 24 hours. In contrast, Peptest can save time and is non-invasive. The test can also be used after reflux treatments to assess the success or failure of any treatment.
