No more tubes? swallowable capsule could revolutionize stomach acid testing
NCT ID NCT00702533
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Sep 01, 2026 · Updated 15 times
Summary
This study tests a new, less invasive way to measure stomach acid using a small wireless capsule (SmartPill) that patients swallow. It compares the capsule's accuracy to the standard method, which involves a tube placed through the nose into the stomach. The study includes healthy volunteers and people with acid-related disorders like Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and GERD.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- SmartPill (wireless capsule) and Pentagastrin injection
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could replace the uncomfortable nasogastric tube test for measuring stomach acid, making diagnosis simpler and more tolerable for patients.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage study with only 80 participants. The capsule may not be as accurate as the standard method, and results may not apply to all acid-related conditions.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
-
80 people
The number who actually took part.
- Start date
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Jun 2008
- Lead sponsor
-
A government research agency
The lead sponsor is the US National Institutes of Health.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
Healthy volunteers and patients with gastric acid secretory disorders
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
* CURRENTLY ONLY RECRUITING Patients with Zollinger Ellison Syndrome and Hypersecretion AND Patients with Refractory GERD, Peptic ulcer disease, Idiopathic Gastric Hypersecretion Phase II, Use in Patients with Zollinger Ellison Syndrome and Hypersecretion INCLUSION: * Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) as diagnosed by one of the following criteria: histologic confirmation of gastrinoma, positive provocative testing with secretin (an increase of \>200 pg/mL postinjection), gastric acid hypersecretion (BAO \> 15) in the presence of hypergastrinemia (fasting serum gastrin \> 99) * Multiple endocrine neoplasia type-I (MEN1) with suspicion of ZES (hypergastrinemia) undergoing evaluation. MEN-I with ZES * Hypergastrinemia (serum gastrin \> 99) Patients must meet at least 1 of the above inclusion criteria and the following: * Ages equal to or greater than 18 years * Male, females, all ethnicities EXCLUSION: * History of gastric surgery (gastrectomy, pyloroplasty) * Use of bowel motility medications such as, but not limited to, Reglan, Immodium, and Lomotil * Contraindication to SmartPill: history of gastric bezoar, disorders of swallowing, suspected strictures, fistulas, or physiological GI obstruction, GI surgery within the past three months, severe dysphagia to food or pills, Crohn s Disease or diverticulitis, a subject who uses an implanted or portable electro-mechanical medical device such as a cardiac pacemaker or infusion pump * Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Females of childbearing potential must be on an acceptable means of birth control and no intercourse in 2 weeks prior to study enrollment. * Lactose intolerance or inability to drink standard meal of Ensure Plus * Estabished diagnosis of gastroparesis * Significant systemic or major illnesses including, but not limited to, stroke, congestive heart failure, renal failure (creatinine clearance \< 50 ml/min), organ transplantation, angina pectoris, active malignancy, and autonomic neuropathy * Unstable psychiatric conditions, untreated or uncontrolled depression or generalized anxiety disorder, substance abuse within the past year, in order to prevent feeling of being uncomfortable or to prevent lack of follow-up * Use of not-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for 2 weeks prior to study enrollment Phase IIIA, Use in Patients with Refractory GERD, Peptic ulcer disease, Idiopathic Gastric Hypersecretion INCLUSION: * Gastric acid hypersecretion (BAO\>15 mEq/hr) * Conditions with gastric acid hypersecretion including, but not limited to, patients with systemic mastocytosis (SM) * Refractory GERD (patients with persistant symptoms despite being on standard medical therapy), PUD, and suspected idiopathic gastric hypersecretion Patients must meet at least 1 of the above inclusion criteria and the following: * Ages equal to or greater than 18 years * Male, females, all ethnicities EXCLUSION: * History of gastric surgery (gastrectomy, pyloroplasty). * Use of bowel motility medications such as, but not limited to, Reglan, Immodium, and Lomotil * Contraindication to SmartPill: history of gastric bezoar, disorders of swallowing, suspected strictures, fistulas, or physiological GI obstruction, GI surgery within the past three months, severe dysphagia to food or pills, Crohn s Disease or diverticulitis, a subject who uses an implanted or portable electro-mechanical medical device such as a cardiac pacemaker or infusion pump * Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Females of childbearing potential must be on an acceptable means of birth control and no intercourse in 2 weeks prior to study enrollment. * Lactose intolerance or inability to drink standard meal of Ensure Plus * Established diagnosis of gastroparesis * Significant systemic or major illnesses including, but not limited to, stroke, congestive heart failure, renal failure (creatinine clearance \< 50 ml/min), organ transplantation, angina pectoris, active malignancy, and autonomic neuropathy * Unstable psychiatric conditions, untreated or uncontrolled depression or generalized anxiety disorders, substance abuse within the past year, in order to prevent feeling of being uncomfortable or to prevent lack of follow-up. Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for 2 weeks prior to study enrollment. Phase IIIB, Use in Patients with Medication-Controlled: GERD, Peptic ulcer disease, Idiopathic Gastric Hypersecretion INCLUSION: -Medication-controlled (patients whose symptoms resolve with medication):GERD, PUD, and suspected idiopathic gastric hypersecretion Patients must meet the above inclusion criteria and the following * Ages equal to or greater than 18 years * Male, females, all ethnicities EXCLUSION: * Refractory to medication: GERD (patients with persistant symptoms despite being on standard medical therapy), PUD, and suspected idiopathic gastric hypersecretion * History of gastric surgery (gastrectomy, pyloroplasty). * Use of bowel motility medications such as, but not limited to, Reglan, Immodium, and Lomotil * Contraindication to SmartPill: history of gastric bezoar, disorders of swallowing, suspected strictures, fistulas, or physiological GI obstruction, GI surgery within the past three months, severe dysphagia to food or pills, Crohn s Disease or diverticulitis, a subject who uses an implanted or portable electro-mechanical medical device such as a cardiac pacemaker or infusion pump * Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Females of childbearing potential must be on an acceptable means of birth control and no intercourse in 2 weeks prior to study enrollment. * Lactose intolerance or inability to drink standard meal of Ensure Plus * Established diagnosis of gastroparesis * Significant systemic or major illnesses including, but not limited to, stroke, congestive heart failure, renal failure (creatinine clearance \< 50 ml/min), organ transplantation, angina pectoris, active malignancy, and autonomic neuropathy * Unstable psychiatric conditions, untreated or uncontrolled depression or genralized anxiety disorders, substance abuse within the past year, in order to prevent feeling of being uncomfortable or to prevent lack of follow-up * Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for 2 weeks prior to study enrollment RECRUITMENT IS CLOSED FOR Phase IA/IB, Validation and Establishment of Nomogram in Healthy Volunteers PHASE IA/IB INCLUSION: * Healthy volunteers * Ages 18-60 * Males, females, all ethnicities PHASE IA/IB EXCLUSION: * History of gastric or bowel surgery * Use of bowel motility medications such as, but not limited to, Reglan, Immodium, and Lomotil * Use of antacid, antisecretory, and anticholinergic medications such as, but not limited to, proton pump inhibitors and histamine 2 receptor antagonists * Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for 2 weeks prior to study enrollment * Hypersecretory and hyposecretory related conditions including, but not limited to, pernicious anemia, atrophic gastritis, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome * Contraindication to NGT: deviated septum, history of transphenoidal surgery, chronic sinusitis, severe facial trauma (cribriform plate disruption, sustained head trauma, maxillofacial injury, or anterior fossa skull fracture), esophageal stricture, esophageal varices, altered mental status, and impaired airway * Contraindication to scintigraphy: allergy to sulfa-colloid * Contraindication to pentagastrin: allergy to pentagastrin, active gastrointestinal bleeding, active peptic ulcer disease, active gallbladder and liver disease, pancreatitis, and bowel obstruction * Contraindication to SmartPill: history of gastric bezoar, disorders of swallowing, suspected strictures, fistulas, or physiological GI obstruction, GI surgery within the past three months, severe dysphagia to food or pills, Crohns disease or diverticulosis, and implanted or portable electro-mechanical medical device such as a cardiac pacemaker or infusion pump * Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Females of childbearing potential must be on an acceptable means of birth control and no intercourse in 2 weeks prior to study enrollment. * Lactose intolerance or inability to drink standard meal of Ensure Plus * Helicobacter pylori infection * Gastroparesis * History of gastroesophageal reflux disease, peptic ulcer disease, irritable bowel syndrome, or inflammatory bowel disease * Significant systemic or major illnesses including, but not limited to, stroke, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, congestive heart failure, renal failure (creatinine clearance \< 50 ml/min), organ transplantation, angina pectoris, active malignancy, diabetes, or autonomic neuropathy * Unstable psychiatric conditions, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, or substance abuse within the past year, in order to prevent feeling of being uncomfortable or to prevent lack of follow-up
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States
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