Effect of acute and long-term oral tobacco use on oesophageal motility

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Nicotine administration is known to decrease lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) pressure. Although a few studies have assessed the effect of tobacco on the LOS, the effect of acute and long-term oral tobacco use on oesophageal motility is not known. The study was designed to investigate the effect of acute and long-term oral tobacco use on LOS and distal oesophageal motility. METHODS: Thirty-six healthy men (aged 18-65 years, median 34 years; 18 oral tobacco users, 18 non-tobacco users) underwent oesophageal manometry using a water-perfusion system. After baseline manometry, tobacco users were asked to keep 0.5 g tobacco in their mouth for 10 min; non-users of tobacco were kept in quiet surroundings for a similar period. Manometry was then repeated. RESULTS: The LOS basal pressures were similar in tobacco users and non-tobacco users (mean +/- SD 15.4 +/- 6.3 vs 13.4 +/- 5.3 mmHg). In the distal oesophageal body, the velocity (4.4 +/- 3.1 vs 4.9 +/- 2.6 cm/s), amplitude (92.7 +/- 38.3 vs 84.8 +/- 33.2 mmHg) and duration of contraction (2.1 +/- 0.7 vs 1.7 +/- 0.9 s) were similar in tobacco users and non-users. Acute tobacco use did not affect these parameters. The numbers of abnormal waves (triple peaks and non-transmitted contractions) were also similar in the two groups. CONCLUSION: Oral tobacco use does not appear to affect LOS pressures and distal oesophageal motility acutely or in the long term.     

Effect of sildenafil on oesophageal motor function in healthy subjects and patients with oesophageal motor disorders

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Sildenafil blocks phosphodiesterase type 5 which degrades nitric oxide (NO) stimulated 3'5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP), thereby relaxing smooth muscle cells in various organs. We used sildenafil as a tool to investigate the role of the NO-cGMP pathway in the oesophagus of healthy volunteers and patients with hypercontractile oesophageal motility disorders. METHODS: Six healthy male volunteers participated in a randomised double blind study on two separate days before and one hour after oral intake of either sildenafil 50 mg or placebo. Oesophageal manometry was performed to determine vector volume of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) and pressure amplitudes of the oesophageal body. Four of the volunteers underwent 12 hour ambulatory oesophageal manometry on two separate days, once with sildenafil 50 mg and once with placebo. An activity index for spontaneous swallowing was calculated for every hour of the study. Eleven patients with hypercontractile oesophageal motility disorders took part in an open study of the effect of 50 mg sildenafil on manometric features of their disorder and on the clinical response to sildenafil taken as required. RESULTS: In healthy subjects, sildenafil significantly reduced LOS pressure vector volume and pressure amplitudes in the distal half of the oesophageal body. In three of four subjects the inhibitory effect of sildenafil lasted at least eight hours. In nine of 11 patients, manometric improvement after sildenafil was observed but only four had an improvement in oesophageal symptoms with sildenafil taken as required. Two of these four patients however experienced side effects and did not want to continue treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Sildenafil lowers LOS pressure and propulsive forces in the body of the oesophagus of healthy subjects as well as in patients with nutcracker oesophagus, hypertensive LOS, and achalasia. The effect of sildenafil on the oesophageal body may last for up to eight hours in healthy volunteers. A subset of patients with hypertensive LOS or nutcracker oesophagus may benefit from sildenafil but side effects are a limiting factor.     

Oesophageal acidification does not increase lower oesophageal sphincter pressure.

We studied the effect of distal oesophageal acidification on lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) pressure in normal human volunteers and in cats. The distal oesophagus was acidified by intraluminal injection of 0.1N HCl (pH 1.2). The LOS pressure was recorded by a sleeve device while pharyngeal and oesophageal pressures were monitored by nonperfused, water filled catheters. In normal human subjects, distal oesophageal acidification did not elicit a change in LOS pressure. In anaesthetised cats, injection of acid into the distal oesophagus elicited immediate LOS relaxation followed by a secondary peristaltic sequence. With propagation of the peristaltic sequence into the LOS, the LOS pressure abruptly increased 20-100 mmHg and gradually returned to the preinjection value over 15-180 s. In the one instance in which we were able to acidify the distal oesophagus without evoking secondary peristalsis, the LOS pressure did not change. Injection of saline into the distal oesophagus evoked a response in the LOS and oesophageal body that was indistinguishable from that seen with acid. We conclude that contrary to common belief, distal oesophageal acidification itself does not affect LOS pressure in man or the cat.     

Effects of low-power argon plasma coagulation thermoablation of Barrett's epithelium on oesophageal motility

INTRODUCTION: Oesophageal dysmotility contributes to the pathogenesis of Barrett's epithelium (BE) allowing prolonged mucosal contact with injurious refluxate. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is effective for BE ablation, but it is unknown whether the procedure affects oesophageal motility. AIM: To assess the effect of low power (30 W) APC therapy on oesophageal motility in patients with BE. METHODS: Thirty-three patients with at least 4 cm of BE underwent oesophageal manometry before and after APC ablation. All were on proton pump inhibitors. Oesophageal body peristaltic wave duration and amplitude, and lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) pressure and length were compared before and after treatment. RESULTS: In a total of 28 men and five women, with a mean age of 63.4 years (range 39-79) and mean BE length 6.5 cm (range 4-19), macroscopic clearance was achieved in 28 patients. A small statistically significant (P<0.05) increase in peristaltic wave amplitude was seen after APC [mean (SD) mmHg before versus after: 30.4 (15.2) versus 36.2 (20.1) at 13.5 cm, 47.6 (27.1) versus 54.5 (26.8) at 8.5 cm, and 51.2 (35.3) versus 58 (34.4) at 3.5 cm above the LOS]. No changes in either peristaltic wave duration or LOS parameters [mean (SD) pressure 10.6 (5.6) versus 10.3 (4.3) mmHg; length 2.8 (1.3) versus 2.8 (1.0) cm] were observed. CONCLUSION: APC ablation of BE at a power setting of 30 W does not impair oesophageal motility.     

Oesophageal motility during acid-provoked heartburn and chest pain

Oesophageal motility was studied in 59 patients before and again after prolonged acid perfusion. In group 1 (n = 16), who were asymptomatic during the acid perfusion, no significant motility differences were obtained by perfusion. In group 2 (n = 18), who had heartburn, and in group 3 (n = 25), who had angina-like chest pain during acid perfusion, significant (p less than 0.01-0.001) changes of motility were seen: these included higher peristaltic amplitude, longer contraction duration, and slower peristaltic velocity. In addition, patients in group 3 showed a decrease (p less than 0.01) of peristaltic propagation and had secondary wave activity more often (p less than 0.01) during acid perfusion. Significantly (p less than 0.01) more patients in group 3 showed secondary wave activity after acid perfusion than in group 2. Pretest motility investigation did not separate the two acid-sensitive groups from the acid-unsensitive one, whereas the investigation of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) did. Thus, LOS incompetence was significantly (p less than 0.01) commoner in the two symptomatic groups than in the asymptomatic group. We suggest that the motility changes observed during acid perfusion are secondary to increased sensory stimulation from the oesophagus but are not the cause of the symptoms. However, nervous reflex reactions from other chest organs, such as the heart, may also explain the results.     

Gastro-oesophageal reflux in pregnancy. Altered function of the barrier to reflux in asymptomatic women during early pregnancy

The object of this study was to investigate the effect of early pregnancy on the competence of the barrier to gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR). Oesophageal manometry and prolonged intra-oesophageal pH monitoring were carried out in 12 asymptomatic pregnant women and in 7 non-pregnant women. There was no significant difference in mean intragastric pressure between these two groups. However, both mean lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) pressure and mean barrier pressure (LOS pressure minus intragastric pressure) were significantly lower in the pregnant subjects (16.9 +/- 0.79 mm Hg; 8.69 +/- 0.73 mm Hg) than in the controls (21.5 +/- 1.93 mm Hg; 14.1 +/- 1.22 mm Hg) (p less than 0.01 and less than 0.001, respectively). No significant difference could be demonstrated between the two groups with regard to degree of GOR, although the pregnant women did exhibit a tendency towards more marked reflux. The results indicate a diminution in the barrier to reflux in early pregnancy due to a reduction in LOS pressure, which may be the basis of symptomatic GOR in pregnancy.     

Esophageal dysfunction in primary biliary cirrhosis

To investigate esophageal involvement of scleroderma in primary biliary cirrhosis, esophageal, manometry was performed in 18 patients (16 females, two males) with primary biliary cirrhosis and in a control group of 18 subjects matched by age and sex. All patients were screened for clinical manifestations of scleroderma and for the presence of Sj?gren's syndrome. Four patients had scleroderma (all of them with Sj?rgren's syndrome), nine had Sj?gren's syndrome without scleroderma, and five had neither scleroderma nor Sj?gren's syndrome. Three patients with scleroderma had aperistalsis and diminished lower sphincter pressure. Five patients with Sj?rgren's syndrome without scleroderma also had esophageal manometric disturbances. Furthermore, lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) and distal mean wave pressure (DMWP) were significantly reduced in patients with scleroderma (LESP: 7.5 +/- 1.4 mmHg; DMWP: 29.5 +/- 5.9 mmHg) and in patients with Sj?gren's syndrome without scleroderma (LESP: 14.8 +/- 0.8 mmHg; DMWP: 54.3 +/- 7.5 mmHg) compared to controls (LESP: 18.0 +/- 0.7 mmHg; DMWP: 83.9 +/- 5.1 mmHg). By contrast, LESP and DMWP were similar in patients without Sj?gren's syndrome (LESP: 17.6 +/- 0.9 mmHg; DMWP: 78.2 +/- 10.9 mmHg) and controls. These results indicate that esophageal motility dysfunction is often present in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis who have scleroderma, and also in those with Sj?gren's syndrome without scleroderma, suggesting that some esophageal motor disturbances could be related to association with Sj?gren's syndrome.     

Study of oesophageal motility in Egyptian cirrhotic patients before and after prophylactic endoscopic variceal ligation

Background and aimThe aim of this work is to study oesophageal motility in non bleeding cirrhotic patients before and after endoscopic ligation of oesophageal varices.Patients and methodsThis study was conducted on 90 subjects as follows:Group (I): 50 patients with liver cirrhosis and large oesophageal varices (i.e. grade III, IV).Group (II): 20 patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis but without oesophageal varices.Group (III): 20 healthy volunteers.Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects.Complete laboratory investigations were done as well as abdominal ultrasonography, upper endoscopy and oesophageal motility was done by stationary and rapid pull through manometery using a low compliance pneumohydraulic perfusion system. EVL was done in 50 patients (Group I).ResultsOesophageal motility before EVL revealed that there was a significant decrease in the amplitude of the contractive wave at the middle and the distal oesophagus and there was an increase in the wave velocity in the distal oesophagus with significant increase in the abnormal waves with no effect on wave duration. Ascites had no effect on the oesophageal motility and the LES pressure; also there was no significant difference in patients in terms of Child Pugh grading.Oesophageal motility after EVL revealed no significant decrease in the amplitude of the contractive wave at the middle oesophagus, and the decreased amplitude in the distal oesophagus before EVL was returned to the level of normal healthy control. Also, there was increase in the velocity of wave after EVL in the distal oesophagus with no effect on wave duration.ConclusionProphylactic EVL is an effective method for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal varices with no serious complications. EVL normalized oesophageal motility and if it induced abnormal oesophageal motility, it was of little clinical significance and reversible.     

Impedance characteristics of normal oesophageal motor function

OBJECTIVE: To obtain detailed data about the correlation between oesophageal peristalsis and bolus transport for clinical oesophageal motility testing. METHODS: Oesophageal motility testing was performed in 25 healthy subjects by using the newly developed technique of concurrent impedancometry and manometry. Parameters of oesophageal motility and bolus transport as well as the correlation between transit and motility were analysed after swallowing saline or yogurt. RESULTS: Detailed data about bolus transport and oesophageal motility could be obtained during a single investigation step. Air was observed in front of the bolus in 76% of the swallows. Resting baseline impedance was significantly higher in the oesophagus than in the stomach (2832+/-118 Omega vs 688+/-119 Omega). The deglutitive impedance gradient was 222+/-26 Omega for saline and 482+/-38 Omega for yogurt. Bolus propagation velocity and bolus transit time as impedance parameters of bolus transport discriminated fluid from semisolid bolus (4.0+/-0.1 cm/s vs 3.2+/-0.1 cm/s and 9.9+/-0.2 s vs 11.5+/-0.2 s, for saline vs yogurt), while contraction wave amplitude as a manometry parameter of oesophageal motor function did not (91.4+/-7.5 mmHg vs 80.7+/-9.4 mmHg, for saline vs yogurt). There was a poor correlation between bolus propagation velocity and contraction wave amplitude. CONCLUSIONS: Impedance parameters of normal oesophageal motor function have been characterized. Impedancometry and manometry provide different but complementary data about oesophageal motor function. Concurrent impedancometry and manometry allows detailed monitoring of oesophageal motility and bolus transit, which may open new perspectives for comprehensive oesophageal motility testing.     

Patterns of acid reflux in complicated oesophagitis.

Oesophageal manometry and 24 hour ambulatory pH recordings from the distal oesophagus were carried out in 25 patients with complications of oesophagitis (stricture, Barrett's oesophagus or oesophageal ulcer) and compared with 25 patients with uncomplicated oesophagitis. Acid reflux was more severe in the complicated group with 26.2% of time below pH 4 compared with 11.3% in uncomplicated patients (p less than 0.01). This difference was most marked at night, when complicated patients had long periods of acid reflux with 35.6% time less than pH 4 compared with 5.2% uncomplicated (p less than 0.001). The mean duration of nocturnal acid reflux was 15.4 minutes (2.1 minutes uncomplicated, p less than 0.001). Oesophageal motility was markedly abnormal in all groups, but with no demonstrable differences in lower oesophageal sphincter pressure or peristalsis between the groups. Patients with complications of oesophagitis have different patterns of acid reflux from uncomplicated patients, with prolonged nocturnal bathing of the oesophageal mucosa, which may be the cause of stricture formation, metaplasia, or ulceration.     

A scintigraphic study of local oesophageal bolus transit: differences between patients with Barrett's oesophagus and healthy controls.

BACKGROUND: In Barrett's patients, functional disorders of oesophageal motility are currently measured by oesophageal manometry. Yet abnormalities of oesophageal volume transport in the critical regions of the upper oesophageal sphincter (UOS) and lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) cannot be determined using these methods. AIMS: To further characterise the activity of the sphincter regions, we developed a quantitative method for differentiation of oesophageal volume transport in Barrett's patients and healthy controls. METHODS: We used a new technique of processing scintigraphic images, with data analysis based on a new concept of relative local transit time. Twelve patients with Barrett's oesophagus and 11 healthy volunteers were examined using alimentary scintigraphy after a semisolid test meal in a multiple swallow test. In individual scintigraphic images of five swallows we studied: (1) overall oesophageal clearance and (2) the topographic profile of the relative local transit time obtained by image conversion to a two dimensional line graph. This profile was reconstructed by assembling constituent Gauss bands, allocating their integrals to five oesophageal regions according to their band position. RESULTS: (1) Overall oesophageal clearance was not significantly different between the two groups. (2) In comparison with healthy volunteers, relative regional transit times of all 12 Barrett's patients were significantly increased in the hypopharyngeal region and decreased in the region of the distal oesophagus. The extent of the decrease in the region of the distal oesophagus showed a close correlation with the length of Barrett's metaplasia. CONCLUSION: Improvement in image processing allows alimentary scintigraphy to describe different regional patterns of oesophageal volume transport. Local oesophageal bolus transit is markedly abnormal in Barrett's patients without alteration in clearance. The presence of metaplasia itself implies a negative impact on both sphincter functions. These findings substantiate the diagnostic value of refined oesophageal scintigraphy.     

High amplitude contractions in the middle third of the oesophagus: a manometric marker of chronic alcoholism?

BACKGROUND--Oesophageal motor abnormalities have been reported in alcoholism. AIM--To investigate the effects of chronic alcoholism and its withdrawal on oesophageal disease. PATIENTS--23 chronic alcoholic patients (20 men and three women; mean age 43, range 23 to 54). METHODS--Endoscopy, manometry, and 24 hour pH monitoring 7-10 days and six months after ethanol withdrawal. Tests for autonomic and peripheral neuropathy were also performed. Motility and pH tracings were compared with those of age and sex matched control groups: healthy volunteers, nutcracker oesophagus, and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. RESULTS--14 (61%) alcoholic patients had reflux symptoms, and endoscopy with biopsy showed oesophageal inflammation in 10 patients. One patient had an asymptomatic squamous cell carcinoma. Oesophageal motility studies in the alcoholic patients showed that peristaltic amplitude in the middle third was > 150 mm Hg (95th percentile (P95) of healthy controls) in 13 (57%), the ratio lower/ middle amplitude was < 0.9 in 15 (65%) (> 0.9 in all control groups), and the lower oesophageal sphincter was hypertensive (> 23.4 mm Hg, P95 of healthy controls) in 13 (57%). All three abnormalities were present in five (22%). Abnormal reflux (per cent reflux time > 2.9, P95 of healthy controls) was shown in 12 (52%) alcoholic patients, and was unrelated to peristaltic dysfunction. Subclinical neuropathy in 10 patients did not effect oesophageal abnormalities. Oesophageal motility abnormalities persisted at six months in six patients with ongoing alcoholism, whereas they reverted towards normal in 13 who remained abstinent; reflux, however, was unaffected. CONCLUSIONS--Oesophageal peristaltic dysfunction and reflux are frequent in alcoholism. High amplitude contractions in the middle third of the oesophagus seem to be a marker of excessive alcohol consumption, and tend to improve with abstinence.     

Studies of acid exposure immediately above the gastro-oesophageal squamocolumnar junction: evidence of short segment reflux

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Oesophageal pH is conventionally recorded from a point 5 cm above the lower oesophageal sphincter. However, the mucosal changes of reflux oesophagitis and intestinal metaplasia tend to affect the segment of oesophagus distal to this and close to the squamocolumnar junction. This study set out to investigate oesophageal acid exposure of squamous mucosa close to the squamocolumnar junction. METHODS: Dual channel 24 hour pH monitoring was carried out in 11 patients with endoscopy negative dyspepsia and no evidence of gastro-oesophageal reflux by conventional oesophageal pH metry. Oesophageal pH was recorded from electrodes positioned 5 mm and 55 mm proximal to the squamocolumnar junction. A novel technique was developed using metal clips to secure the pH catheter to the oesophageal mucosa and maintain these electrode positions. Oesophageal manometry indicated that the distal electrode was within the high pressure zone of the lower oesophageal sphincter. RESULTS: We found that 24 hour oesophageal acid exposure (per cent time pH <4) was greater 5 mm above the squamocolumnar junction compared with the conventional position 5 cm more proximal (11.7% v 1.8%; p<0.001). The greater acid exposure at the distal versus the conventional site was apparent in both the upright (12.7% v 2.3%) and supine (10.5% v 1.3%) positions, as well as during preprandial (14.2% v 1.6%) and postprandial (21.8% v 2.8%) periods (p<0.001 for each). The number of reflux events recorded close to the squamocolumnar junction was also higher than at the conventional position (168 v 33; p<0.001). There was no correlation between acid exposure at the two sites. CONCLUSIONS: The squamous mucosa of the most distal oesophagus is exposed to substantial acidic reflux, even in patients without evidence of conventional reflux disease. This short segment reflux may explain the high incidence of metaplasia and neoplasia at the gastro-oesophageal junction.     

Studies of the oesophageal clearance responses to intraluminal acid.

Contraction of the upper oesophageal sphincter combined with secondary peristalsis clears the oesophagus of refluxed gastric contents and protects the trachea, but the nature of these reflex stimuli remains controversial. Secondary peristaltic and sphincteric responses were measured during intraluminal infusion of 0.1 N hydrochloric acid and equiosmolar saline solutions in seven normal volunteers. Responses to a single volume infused at varying sites in the oesophagus and to progressively increasing volumes of test solution were measured. In addition oesophageal responses to similar degrees of distension induced by inflation of an intraluminal balloon were also recorded. The sphincteric responses to both stimuli were similar, decreasing in value with distance from the sphincter from values of 70 (68-85) mmHg (median (range] for HCl; and 70 (55-85) mmHg for NaCl at 5 cm below the sphincter to 40 (30-60) mmHg for both HCl and NaCl at 20 cm. As the volume of the solution infused into the proximal oesophagus was increased, the sphincter pressure also rose from a median basal value of 30 (25-50) mmHg to 40 (30-50) mmHg for HCl and NaCl after 1 ml, while after 7 ml infusion, the responses were greater, 65 (45-85) mmHg for HCl, and 60 (45-80) mmHg for NaCl. In the more distal oesophagus, responses were qualitatively similar but quantitatively smaller than proximally, being 30 (25-40) mmHg for HCl and 30 (25-50) mmHg for NaCl following 1 ml and 45 (40-55) mmHg for HCl and NaCl after 7 ml. Secondary peristalsis was also induced equally by both solutions and varied with volumes infused and site of infusion in a manner similar to the sphincter responses. After a 7 ml/min acid infusion 14 (1- 40) secondary contractions/three min were recorded at 5 cm and eight (2 - 18)/three min were recorded at 20 cm. Values for saline were similar, 13 (1- 38)/three min at 5 cm and eight (4 - 25)/three min at 20 cm. Oesophageal distension by a balloon positioned 10 cm below the sphincter induced identical clearance responses to those seen after similar volumes of either acid or saline infused at the same site. These results suggest that the principal stimulus for upper oesophageal clearance is intraluminal distension and do not support the idea that the oesophagus is pH sensitive.     

Acid clearance and oesophageal sensitivity in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis.

This study examined the hypothesis that impaired oesophageal peristalsis was associated with delayed oesophageal clearance of acid in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS), some of whom are thought to have impaired oesophageal sensitivity to acid. Sixteen patients with PSS had: (a) oesophageal manometry and endoscopy; (b) acid perfusion of the oesophagus with simultaneous measurement of intraoesophageal pH during perfusion and for the next 10 minutes; (c) 22 hour monitoring of intraoesophageal pH; and (d) an evaluation of reflux symptoms during and after perfusion and during overnight pH monitoring. By oesophageal manometry, eight patients had normal peristalsis and eight patients had impaired peristalsis. Oesophageal endoscopy was unremarkable in patients with normal peristalsis, whereas all patients with impaired peristalsis had oesophagitis. The time needed to clear the oesophagus of perfused acid was shorter (p < 0.01) in patients with normal peristalsis and acid clearance time was significantly correlated (p < 0.01) with acid exposure time during overnight pH monitoring. During and after oesophageal perfusion, the nature, duration, and severity of symptoms did not differ between the groups, but overnight symptoms lasted longer (p < 0.05) in patients with impaired peristalsis. It is concluded that in PSS: (1) Impaired oesophageal motility delayed the clearance of acid and increased the exposure time to acid. (2) Acid clearance time is a useful parameter of impaired oesophageal motor function. The assessment of acid clearance time can be used as an alternative to overnight pH monitoring, to assess the impairment of oesophageal acid clearance. (3) Oesophageal sensitivity to acid was preserved in patients with impaired peristalsis and oesophagitis. (4) Reflux symptoms lasted longer in patients with prolonged oesophageal acid exposure but were still reported for a small fraction of the total acid exposure time. Thus, reflux symptoms reflect poorly prolonged exposure of the oesophagus to acid and are not a reliable guide to acid injury of the oesophagus in PSS.     

Evaluation of lower oesophageal sphincter pressure using endoscopic manometric sleeve assembly

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to establish a method to determine lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) pressure using an endoscopic manometric sleeve assembly. METHODS: We used a 250-cm, three-lumen, 2.2-mm external diameter silicon catheter with a 3-cm sleeve sensor that was passed easily through the biopsy channel (2.8 mm diameter) of the gastroscope. Each lumen was perfused with distilled water using a low-compliance, pneumohydraulic capillary infusion system. Forty-seven healthy subjects and 35 patients with oesophageal disorders underwent study during routine diagnostic endoscopy. In 27 of the subjects, standard transnasal manometry with a three-lumen, 4.5-mm diameter polyvinyl catheter with a 5-cm sleeve sensor was also performed. RESULTS: Lower oesophageal sphincter pressure (LOS) was evaluated in all subjects (median pressure 16 mmHg, range 0-55 mmHg) for 6 min during routine endoscopic examination. The LOS pressure readings between standard and endoscopic manometry correlated well. The LOS pressure was significantly lower in healthy subjects with hiatal hernia than in those without hernia and was also significantly lower in patients with reflux oesophagitis than in healthy subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic manometric sleeve assembly was used during routine endoscopic examination and was useful for easily determining LOS pressure. It could be used for evaluation of oesophageal motility disorders, thus avoiding the use of a more invasive and time-consuming method.     

Influence of morphine on the distal oesophagus and the lower oesophageal sphincter--a manometric study.

Basal pressure and relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) as well as amplitude, duration and propagation velocity of peristaltic waves in the distal third of oesophagus were measured in 15 healthy adults (nine men and six women). A highly standardised technique was used employing manometric equipment including a low-compliance pneumohydraulic infusion system and a triple lumen recording catheter. After establishment of baseline manometry values the catheter was positioned with its distal orifice in the lower oesophageal sphincter. In 10 subjects 0.2 mg/kg body weight of morphine sulphate was then injected subcutaneously. In five others equal volume of saline was given. The manometric data were analysed blindly. Repeated manometric evaluations were carried out 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 minutes after the injection. Morphine increased slightly LOS-pressure and significantly (p less than 0.001) decreased LOS-relaxation, the maximal effect occurring 30 minutes after the injection. Amplitude of peristaltic waves increased slightly but insignificantly, whereas propagation velocity and duration were uninfluenced. The results of this study suggest that pharmacologic doses of morphine influence normal function of the LOS and possibly the distal oesophagus. The role of endogenous opiates in this respect, however, awaits further studies. It is suggested that abnormalities in opioid neurotransmission may explain some of the non-specific oesophageal motility disorders.     

Effect of endoscopic augmentation of the lower oesophageal sphincter (Gatekeeper reflux repair system) on intraoesophageal dynamic characteristics of acid reflux

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Improvements in symptoms following endoscopic procedures for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) are seldom supported by normalisation of acid exposure time at the distal oesophagus. However, the distribution of gastric acid within the proximal oesophagus is a main determinant of symptom generation in GORD patients. In this study, our aim was to assess the effect of endoscopic insertion of hydrogel expandable prostheses into the oesophageal submucosa on spatiotemporal characteristics of gastro-oesophageal reflux. METHODS: Oesophageal manometry and multichannel ambulatory 24 hour pH monitoring were carried out in nine patients before and six months after the endoscopic procedure. Dynamic characteristics of gastro-oesophageal reflux in patients were also compared with those in 13 asymptomatic controls. RESULTS: Acid exposure time (AET) at the distal oesophagus decreased from 11.7% (95% confidence interval 6.1-21.8) at baseline to 7.7% (3.7-11.6) at follow up (NS). Of the nine patients, distal AET normalised in three. AET at the middle (7.6% (2.9-12.3)) and proximal (2.4% (0.1-4.8)) oesophagus decreased significantly in all patients (2.4% (0.3-4.5), p <0.01; 1.2% (0.2-2.2), p<0.05 respectively). Proximal extent of acid events significantly decreased in all patients at follow up (37.3% v 9.5%), reaching values observed in asymptomatic controls. Median GORD health related quality of life scores significantly improved from 35.5 at baseline to 9.4. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the lack of a significant improvement in traditional pH variables, endoscopic implant of hydrogel prostheses above the lower oesophageal sphincter significantly decreases proximal spread of acid reflux into oesophageal body. This effect would explain the improvement in symptoms in patients six months after therapy.     

ORGAN MANIFESTATIONS IN 100 PATIENTS WITH PROGRESSIVE SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS: A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE CREST SYNDROME AND DIFFUSE SCLERODERMA

Internal organ function, biochemical, and immunological variableswere assessed in 100 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis(PSS), 37 with diffuse scleroderma and 63 with the CREST syndrome.The frequency of oesophageal symptoms and dysmotility did notdiffer between the two subsets, but patients with diffuse sclerodermahad more pronounced motility disturbances. Calcinosis, Raynaud'sphenomenon, and telangiectasia were equally frequent in thetwo groups. Vital capacity, total lung capacity, and staticlung compliance were lower among patients with diffuse scleroderma(p<0.001), who also had a higher frequency of lung fibrosis(p<0.001) and cardiomegaly (p<0.01). Sixty eight per centof the patients with diffuse scleroderma and 62% of those withthe CREST syndrome had a positive antinuclear antibody test,which was associated with oesophageal hypomotility (p<0.001),fat malabsorption (p<0.01) and pulmonary dysfunction (p<0.05).Thus, the severity of organ manifestations varied not only withthe form of PSS, but also with the absend/presence of antinuclearantibody. This study shows that the term ‘CREST syndrome’could be replaced by ‘limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis’. KEY WORDS: Scleroderma, CREST syndrome, Limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis, Diffuse scleroderma, Oesophageal motility, Malabsorption, Respiratory function, Antinuclear antibody