Esophageal motility differences among aged patients with achalasia: A Taiwan report

Seng Kee Chuah, Chi Sin Changchien, Keng Liang Wu, Tsung Hui Hu*, Chung Mou Kuo, Yi Chun Chiu, King Wah Chiu, Chung Huang Kuo, Shue Shian Chiou, Chuan Mo Lee

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background and Aim: There are limited reports on esophageal motility pressures in aged patients with achalasia and these are inconclusive. The aim of the present retrospective study was to understand the changes of esophageal motility in aged achalasia patients among the Taiwan population. Methods: Manometric studies of 49 patients with achalasia had been performed through January 1998 to June 2005. The findings of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) basal and residual pressures and esophageal body contraction amplitudes were calculated and compared between the older and younger patient groups at different age cut-offs. Results: Higher basal LES pressure increased significantly from the cut-off age of 65 years (i.e. patients over 65 had significantly higher basal LES pressure than younger patients: 37.0 ± 4.19 mmHg vs 30.0 ± 1.32 mmHg, P = 0.045). With patients ≥70 years old, it was more obvious (46.0 ± 3.7 mmHg vs 29.6 ± 1.2 mmHg, P = 0.001). Beginning at the cut-off age of 55, the LES residual pressure was significantly higher in older patients than those who were younger (14.0 ± 11.06 mmHg vs 11.1 ± 0.6 mmHg, P = 0.017). LES residual pressure is more significant in the older groups. A linear correlation between age and residual LES pressures (r = 0.383) was found. No differences were found in esophageal contraction pressure. Conclusions: Older achalasia patients in Taiwan have higher basal LES pressures, with a linear correlation between age and residual LES pressures. Age has no influence on esophageal contraction pressure.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1737-1740
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (Australia)
Volume22
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - 11 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Achalasia
  • Age
  • Esophageal LES basal pressures
  • Esophageal body contraction amplitudes
  • Residual pressures

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