Effect of aging on esophageal motility in patients with and without GERD

The impact of aging on esophageal motility is not completely understood. This study aims at assessing 1) whether degeneration of esophageal body motility occurs with age and 2) whether this development is influenced by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

326 consecutive patients with symptoms of GERD underwent a diagnostic work-up including a water-perfused esophageal manometry. Patients were divided by age: 17-39 years (group 1, n=75), 40-49 years (group 2, n=79), 50-59 years (group 3, n=64), 60-69 years (group 4, n=74), and >70 years (group 5, n=34). GERD was diagnosed if patients had erosive esophagitis at endoscopy, a positive pH-metry, or both. The amplitude of esophageal contraction waves 3 cm and 8 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter and the percentage of peristaltic contraction waves of the tubular esophagus were analyzed and correlated to GERD.

A normal esophageal manometry was found in 86.7%, 73.4%, 67.2%, 58.1%, and 55.9% (p<0.01) in groups 1-5, respectively. Esophageal contraction wave amplitudes were affected by age in patients positive for GERD only (p<0.01). Esophageal body peristalsis was affected by age (p<0.01) independent of the diagnosis of GERD.

Aging is correlated to esophageal motor abnormalities. GERD has a significant impact on esophageal contraction wave amplitude, but not on peristalsis.