Esophageal motility and reflux characteristics in gastroesophageal reflux disease patients with or without extra-esophageal symptoms

Abstract

Objective: To investigate esophageal motility and reflux characteristics in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with and without extra-esophageal symptoms by high-resolution manometry and 24 h esophageal multichannel intraluminal impedance combined pH (MII-pH) monitoring. Methods: From February 2016 to June 2017, GERD patients with and without extra-esophageal symptoms were enrolled in this prospective controlled study. Esophageal HRM and 24 h MII-pH monitoring were performed. The differences in esophageal motility and reflux parameters were further analyzed between 30 GERD patients with extra-esophageal symptoms and 30 simple GERD patients. Results: The GERD symptom scores didn't show statistical difference between two groups. The GERD symptom scores didn't show statistical difference between two groups. The relaxation pressure of lower esophageal sphincter(LES), the integrated relaxation pressure, and the recovery time of upper esophageal sphincter(UES) of GERD patients with extra-esophageal symptoms were all lower than those of patients without extra-esophageal symptoms [(15±7) vs (21±11)mmHg, (8±3) vs (10±5)mmHg, (388±168) vs (492±170)ms, 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa], and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05). The main classification of esophageal motility type of GERD patients with extra-esophageal symptoms was mild esophageal motility disorders (27%, 8/30), and the occurrence of ineffective esophageal motivation was 20% (6/30), which were similar with simple GERD patients. The proximal reflux percentages of weak acid reflux and nonacid reflux, abnormal nonacid reflux in GERD patients with extra-esophageal symptoms were significantly higher than those in simple GERD patients [84.6% (73.2%, 100.0%) vs 75.0% (60.0%, 87.65%), P=0.048; 90.0% (45.8%, 100.0%) vs 0(0, 100.0%), P=0.017; 46.7% vs 3.3%, P=0.03]. Conclusions: The pathogenesis of GERD with extra-esophageal symptoms may be different from typical GERD. Increase of proximal esophageal reflux and abnormal nonacid reflux may all participate in the mechanisms of GERD with extra-esophageal symptoms.