Pharyngoesophageal transmucosal potential difference in normal subjects and in patients with peptic esophagitis

Results of a study carried out on pharyngoesophageal transmucosal potential difference (PD) in normal subjects and in patients with peptic esophagitis are reported. Ten healthy individuals used as control group and 12 patients with peptic esophagitis were examined. In all the cases an electric junctional pharyngoesophageal zone was evidenced, characterized by increased negativity at the level of the upper esophageal sphincter between the pharyngeal and esophageal potential difference. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups as for the length of PD and its location, which was always shown to be included in the high pressure zone. In healthy subjects the pharyngoesophageal PD was -16.2 +/- 4.23 mV; in patients with peptic esophagitis PD was -25.4 +/- 8.51 mV. However, in the latter PD was shown to be higher than normal in 66% of cases (p less than 0.01). No correlation was evidenced between PD values and manometric alterations of the upper esophageal sphincter. On this basis, such alterations should not be related to possible mucosal injuries, as suggested by several authors, but most likely to a reflected or primary phenomenon, common to that causing the gastroesophageal reflux.