Association between lower esophageal sphincter resting pressure and esophageal motor disorders

Background: One of the most important factors involved in the pathophysiolo gy of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the lower esophageal sphinc ter rest pressure (LESRP), but these patients can have esophageal motor dis orders (EMD). Aim: To assess an association between LESRP and the appearanc e of EMD in patients with GERD. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional stu dy was conducted in 229 patients with GERD and 49 healthy controls. Forty f ive patients with LESRP < 6 mmHg and a mean age of 49 years were assigned t o group 1, 128 patients with a LESRP between 6 and 12 mmHg and mean age of 47 years were assigned to group 2, 56 patients with a a LESRP >12 mmHg and a mean age of 47 years were assigned to group 3 and group 4 was conformed b y 49 healthy subjects aged 40 years old. Esophageal manometry was performed using previously published techniques. Results: There was a significant as sociation between LESRP, waves amplitude and the frequency of tertiary wave s. Conclusions: Resting lower esophageal sphincter pressure is inversely pr oportional to the presence of esophageal motor disorders in patients with g astroesophageal reflux disease.