anti-TB treatment has good effect. Key Word(s): 1. tuberculosis; 2. clinical features; 3. gastroendoscope; 4. diagnosis; Presenting Author: IAINA BROWNLEE Additional Authors: SHARNA SEAH, SARAHZY NG Corresponding Author: IAINA BROWNLEE Affiliations: Newcastle University Objective: Previous research has suggested that reflux is frequent during strenuous physical activity, although further evidence

is hampered by a lack of non-invasive means of measuring reflux. Recent evidence has suggested that measurement of pepsin in saliva could be a useful tool for measurement of recent reflux events in free-living individuals. The current study aimed to test the impact of a variety of physical activities on pepsin concentration in saliva before and after exercise in competitive, H 89 clinical trial amateur athletes. Methods: Ethical approval was granted by Newcastle University SAgE Faculty Internal Ethics Committee. Seventy-four participants (age 18–64y, 20% female) were recruited through Singaporean sporting clubs. Approximately 2.5 ml of saliva were collected before and after exercise into tubes with 0.05 g of citric acid preservative. Samples were subsequently see more centrifuged to remove particulate matter and analysed for pepsin content using an ELISA methodology. Pre- and post-exercise

samples were compared by Wilcoxon matched pairs signed rank test. Results: Ninety-six paired, pre- and post-exercise saliva samples were collected (distance-running (n = 49), swimming (n = 17), dragon-boating (n = 16), sprinting/long-jumping (n = 9) and cycling (n = 5). While the median pepsin concentrations were higher post-exercise than pre-exercise ((medianΔ, range) distance-running (-25, 432 to -3958 ng/ml), swimming (-17, 570 to -810 ng/ml), Thiamine-diphosphate kinase dragon-boating (-109, 1232 to -1371 ng/ml),

sprinting/long-jumping (-29, 105 to -102 ng/ml), and cycling (-46, 61 to -3254 ng/ml), this only reached statistical significance for distance-running (P = 0.0230). Pooled analyses of all exercise types highlighted significantly higher pepsin concentrations post-exercise (P = 0.0075, medianΔ = -32 ng/ml, range 1232 to -3958 ng/ml). There was a weak correlation between estimated energy expenditure during exercise and post-exercise pepsin concentration (Spearman r = 0.2141, P = 0.0424). Conclusion: Reflux appears to be a common occurrence around physical activity bouts that could ultimately affect pulmonary function (and possibly performance) in athletes. Assessment of pepsin content of saliva appears to be useful for assessing reflux non-invasively in a variety of free-living individuals. Key Word(s): 1. Pepsin; 2. Gastric reflux; 3. Sports; 4.