Deterioration of esophageal motility with age: A manometric study of 79 healthy subjects

OBJECTIVE: Data are limited on the effect of age on esophageal function. We evaluated whether aging influences the motor activity of the esophagus. METHODS: Standard esophageal manometry was performed in 79 healthy, nonpaid volunteers of both sexes, 18-73 yr of age. Lower (LES) and upper esophagea l sphincter (UES) characteristics and the properties of esophageal peristal tic waves were assessed by age groups: less than or equal to 25 yr, 26-35 y r, 36-45 yr, 46-55 yr, 56-65 yr, and >65 yr. RESULTS: Age correlated inversely with LES pressure and length, UES pressur e and length, and peristaltic wave amplitude and velocity, and correlated d irectly with the proportion of simultaneous contractions. Age was inversely correlated with the upper limits of normality (95th percentiles) of LES pr essure (r = -0.943, p = 0.005), UES pressure (r = -0.943, p = 0.005), middl e and lower peristaltic wave amplitude (r = -0.947, p = 0.004, and r = -0.8 44, p = 0.035, respectively), upper/middle peristaltic progression speed (r = -0.943, p = 0.005), and the proportion of simultaneous contractions (r = 0.926, p = 0.008), but not with the lower normal limits (5th percentiles) of these variables. Gender did not affect esophageal motility variables. Th e 95th percentiles of LES pressure differed by 20 mm Hg, those of lower per istaltic amplitude by 82 mm Hg, and those of percent simultaneous contracti ons by a factor of 2, between the younger and the older age groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that normal esophageal motility deteriorat es with advancing age. Thus, age-related normality limits of esophageal pre ssures should be considered before establishing the manometric diagnosis of hypercontractile esophageal motility disorders. (Am J Gastroenterol 1999;9 4:1795-1801. (C) 1999 by Am. Coll. of Gastroenterology).