Oesophageal dysfunction in male patients with angina-like pain

Twenty-eight male patients referred to work ECG due to chest pain, all with a positive oesophageal symptom questionnaire believed to detect oesophageal dysfunction (OD), have been subjected to a graded work test and an oesophageal manometry test and answered a questionnaire believed to detect effort angina. Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) was defined as earlier infarction on ECG at rest or a pathological effort ECG. OD was defined as a positive acid perfusion test, hernia or a clear dysmotility in combination with a lower sphincter incompetence. Twenty patients had a positive effort angina questionnaire. Among these, OD was more common (n = 13) than IHD (n = 8). Five of the 20 patients had signs of both IHD and OD. Eight patients had a negative effort angina questionnaire; OD was found in 7 and IHD in 1 of these patients. It is concluded that in cases with angina-like chest pain OD should be considered.