Anatomic and Manometric Abnormalities of the Upper and Lower Esophageal Sphincters in Patients With Reflux Disease.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) may cause inflammation of the laryngeal and pharyngeal mucosa. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) involves retrograde flow of gastric content into the esophagus below the upper esophageal sphincter (UES). The goal of this study was to investigate the esophageal anatomical and manometric variations of the esophagus in patients with LPR and/or GERD.

METHODS

Adult voice center patients who underwent diagnostic workup for reflux complaints with 24-hour multichannel intraluminal pH-impedance testing and esophageal manometry were included in this retrospective study. Subjects were classified as having LPR (>10 proximal reflux events), LPR + GERD (>10 proximal reflux events plus >73 distal reflux events) or were assigned to a control group (≤10 proximal events and ≤73 distal reflux events) based on pH study results. Anatomic and manometric parameters were evaluated between groups.

RESULTS

There were 169 cases (65 male, 104 female) included in this study. The average age was 50.50 ± 17.29. Subjects in the LPR group had significantly higher UES relaxation pressures and greater UES length compared with the control group. Lower esophageal sphincter relaxation pressure was significantly higher in the control group compared with the LPR group or the GERD + LPR group. Subjects in the GERD + LPR group had a significantly shorter intra-abdominal portion of the lower esophageal sphincter compared with the LPR only group and the control group. Intrabolus pressure was significantly lower in both the LPR group and the LPR + GERD group compared with the control group. Distal wave amplitude was significantly lower in the LPR + GERD group compared to both the LPR group and the control group. The percentage of swallows with incomplete clearance was significantly greater in the LPR + GERD group than both the control group and the LPR group. The LPR group had significantly fewer swallows with incomplete clearance than the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Anatomic and manometric abnormalities are present in subjects with LPR with or without GERD and may contribute to the pathogenesis of reflux disease. Further research is needed to confirm or refute these findings.