Gastro-oesophageal reflux of liquids and gas during transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations

A. J. Bredenoord, B. L. A. M. Weusten, R. Timmer, A. J. P. M. Smout

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Abstract

Some transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations (TLOSRs) are accompanied by gastro-oesophageal reflux and others are not. We aimed to investigate what factors determine the occurrence and type of reflux during TLOSRs. In 12 healthy subjects prolonged high-resolution manometry was performed. Reflux was detected using pH-impedance monitoring. A total of 219 TLOSRs were detected; no differences were observed between the duration of TLOSRs with liquid-containing reflux (20.2 +/- 1.0 s), gas reflux (17.0 +/- 1.0 s) and no reflux (19.0 +/- 1.0 s). Trans-sphincteric pressure gradient was similar in TLOSRs with liquid reflux (1.6 +/- 0.1 kPa), gas reflux (1.5 +/- 0.1 kPa) and no reflux (1.7 +/- 0.3 kPa). Prevalence, duration and amplitude of oesophageal pre-contractions and sphincteric after-contractions were not different for TLOSRs with and without reflux. The total number of TLOSRs decreased significantly from 8.2 +/- 0.8 in the first to 5.7 +/- 0.5 in the second and 4.4 +/- 0.6 in the third 70-min recording period. The number of TLOSRs accompanied by liquid-containing reflux decreased from 4.7 +/- 0.9 to 3.0 +/- 0.4 to 1.6 +/- 0.4, while the numbers of TLOSRs with gas reflux remained unchanged (2.1 +/- 0.6-2.1 +/- 0.7-2.2 +/- 0.6). Besides, time after the meal, no differences were observed in the characteristics of TLOSRs with and without gastro-oesophageal reflux. We conclude that factors, other than TLOSR characteristics, are important of whether or not a TLOSR is reflux-related
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)888-893
JournalNeurogastroenterology and Motility
Volume18
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2006

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