Introducing the world’s first non-invasive saliva test for reflux.
“Doctor, I think I have reflux.”
“Okay, I’ll prescribe some PPIs. See if it helps relieve your reflux symptoms. We can review on your next visit.”
Statistics show up to 20% of the NZ population suffers from reflux either intermittently or continually, meaning as many as one in five readers may find the author’s above conversation their GP familiar.
Despite general awareness of reflux as a common problem, little evidence is available from the medical world to show or confirm it. You either have the above conversation with your GP and are given medication or will be advised to go for invasive tests such as an endoscopy, or pH monitoring whereby a tube is inserted through the nose and passed into the oesophagus for 24 or 48 hours. All expensive, time consuming and unpleasant tests for such a common problem.
But a group of scientists and clinicians in the UK decided there must be an easier way to diagnose reflux objectively. After 20 years of research and development efforts, the world’s first non-invasive reflux test known as Peptest™ is born.
What is Peptest?
The idea of Peptest™ is simple: it measures the presence of a stomach enzyme called pepsin in a sample of your saliva. Because pepsin is only produced in the stomach, if it is found in the mouth, then we know it has been refluxed.
The test is being brought to New Zealand by MAAB, a family business who specialise in the international trade of innovative healthcare products.
“We’re always fascinated by science that makes a difference in patient’s life. It’s a bonus that they’re easy to understand, use and access,” says Alex Lou, founder and managing director of MAAB. “I have reflux myself. It’s just a different level of confidence of knowing your own health when you recognise the symptoms and when you can see the evidence presented by Peptest. This is especially important for the reflux associated conditions that are more difficult to diagnose, such as chronic cough and ENT problems.”
Common symptoms of reflux
Laryngopharyngeal reflux ( LPR) is associated with:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Sore throat
- Chronic cough
- A feeling of a lump in the throat
- Post nasal drip
- Persistent throat clearing
- Voice change
- Hoarseness
- Asthma
- Loss of dental enamel
Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD) is associated with:
- Heartburn
- Difficulty with swallowing
- Nausea
- Inflammation of the oesophagus
- Regurgitation
- Occasional vomiting
MAAB is working with specialist clinics and GP clinics to offer Peptest onsite. But patients can also place an order from our website where all they need to do is to produce saliva samples and send them back for us to analyse.