Study of esophageal function by standard esophageal manometry in 72 healthy volunteers. Proposal for national reference values. Spanish Group for the Study of Digestive Motility.

AIM

A multicenter study was carried out to establish the normal values of different esophageal motility variables in a large group of healthy volunteers to be considered as national reference values.

PARTICIPANTS

Standard esophageal manometry was performed in 72 healthy individuals (38 males/34 females) of a mean age of 43 years (range: 18-73 years). Equipment and methodology were standardized by the participating centers prior to initiation of the study. Lower and upper esophageal sphincter characteristics and the features of the esophageal motility waves were analyzed.

RESULTS

The amplitude and length of the peristaltic waves of the esophageal body increased distally, while the speed of proximal progression was lower than that of the distal speed. The presence of a reduced, but significant number of double peaked simultaneous, spontaneous and non-transmitted waves were of note. Upper and lower esophageal sphincter motility as well as relaxation capacity and pharyngeal contraction were defined.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the characteristics of the population analyzed and the statistical consistence of the results obtained, the values herein reported may be considered as national reference values for esophageal motility studies carried out by standard esophageal manometry.