Pirtniecks A, Smith LF, Thorpe JA. Autonomic dysfunction in non-specific disorders of oesophageal motility.
Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2000;
17:101-5. [PMID:
10731643 DOI:
10.1016/s1010-7940(99)00368-1]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Non-specific disorders of oesophageal motility are common manometric findings in patients presenting with non-cardiac chest pain, dysphagia, odynophagia, regurgitation and symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Impairment of vagal function has been reported in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and achalasia. The role of autonomic dysfunction in patients with non-specific oesophageal disorders is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess autonomic function in patients with non-specific disorders of oesophageal motility.
METHOD
An automated computerized system (AUTOCAFT) was used to evaluate autonomic function in 62 patients presenting with non-cardiac chest pain and associated oesophageal symptoms. Cardiovascular reflex responses to deep breathing, Valsalva manoeuvre, posture and sustained handgrip were measured and results compared with 14 sex- and age-matched control subjects.
RESULTS
Forty percent of patients with non-specific disorders of oesophageal motility proved to have significant abnormalities of vagal function. There was also a high incidence of gastro-oesophageal reflux (50%).
CONCLUSIONS
There appears to be autonomic dysfunction in patients with non-specific oesophageal motility disorders. Autonomic function tests may prove to be a useful tool in the assessment of oesophageal function.
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