Does sleeping on a waterbed promote gastroesophageal reflux?
We conducted a randomized prospective study with extended intraesophageal pH monitoring on two consecutive nights to test the hypothesis that a waterbed (WB) might increase recumbent acid exposure compared to a regular bed (RB). We studied 10 controls (mean age 29 years; five males, five females) with no history of reflux symptoms more than two times per month. We also studied 10 reflux patients (mean age 42 years; seven males, three females) with symptoms at least five days a week and documented recumbent reflux, with or without upright reflux, by previous 24 hr pH study. A standard meal (56% fat) was provided at 6 PM. After randomization, the subjects and patients slept on the assigned bed (WB or RB) in one nearby hotel. The pH probe was removed the next morning at 8 AM. On the same day, the pH probe was inserted at 4 PM and the routine was repeated with use of the other bed. No significant difference (P greater than 0.05; paired t test) was found between the regular bed and waterbed
