Forty three patients with reflux oesophagitis were studied to investigate the effect of healing on oesophageal function. All patients underwent oesophageal manometry and transit studies before and after complete healing of oesophagitis. Oesophagitis was treated with omeprazole 40 mg/day for a median duration of 12 weeks. Twenty three patients also had an acid clearance test before and after healing.

Simple clinical and laboratory variables available at presentation can be used to differentiate patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding who do not need an early urgent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy from those who do.