Frequency of motor alterations detected through manometry in patients with esophageal symptoms and scleroderma

Abstract

Background: Scleroderma can present with esophageal involvement causing important morbidity.

Aims: To describe the manometric findings and clinical characteristics of patients with scleroderma and esophageal symptoms.

Materials and methods: Patients with scleroderma and esophageal symptoms were evaluated through esophageal manometry within the time frame of one year. Descriptive statistics were carried out and the continuous variables were expressed as means and standard deviation. Frequencies were expressed as percentages.

Results: The study included 24 female patients with a mean age of 53.5 years and mean disease progression of 7.84 years. The most frequent findings were short and hypotonic lower esophageal sphincter (mean length 1.58cm and mean tone 9.49mmHg) and ineffective esophageal motility (mean non-transmitted waves 92.91%, mean effective primary peristalsis 40.05%, and mean amplitude 13.11mmHg). The most frequent symptom was dysphagia.

Conclusions: Scleroderma is associated with lower esophageal sphincter alterations and symptomatic ineffective esophageal motility.

Keywords: Esclerodermia; Esfínter esofágico inferior; Esophageal manometry; Esophagus; Esófago; Lower esophageal sphincter; Manometría esofágica; Peristalsis; Scleroderma.