title: Effect of ageing on the upper and lower oesophageal sphincters.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of ageing on length and resting pressure of the upper and lower oesophageal sphincters (UOSs, LOSs).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The effectiveness of upper and lower oesophageal sphincters (UOSs and LOSs, respectively) in the control of retrograde trans-sphincteric flow is influenced by sphincteric pressure and length.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine young and nine elderly healthy volunteers were studied. Resting UOS and LOS pressures were measured by sleeve devices and lengths were measured by the station pull-through technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The length of the UOS high pressure zone in the elderly (2.1 +/- 0.7 cm posterior; 1.9 +/- 0.1 cm anterior) was significantly shorter than that of the young (2.9 +/- 0.1 cm posterior; 3.1 +/- 0.2 cm anterior) (P< 0.01). Resting UOS pressure in the elderly (42 +/- 5 mmHg) was significantly lower than that of the young (62 +/- 7 mmHg) (P< 0.05). The intersphincteric length of the oesophagus in the elderly (21 +/- 0.2 cm) was similar to that of the young (21 +/- 0.4 cm). Total length of the LOS high pressure zone in the young (4.0 +/- 0.1 cm) was similar to that of the elderly (4.1 +/- 0.1 cm). LOS resting pressure was similar between young and elderly subjects (17 +/- 5 mmHg and 15 +/- 3 mmHg, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ageing affects the UOS and LOS differently. With regard to resting pressure and length, ageing weakens the UOS, but has no significant effect on the LOS.
authors: Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Bardan
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Xie
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Brasseur
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Dua
authors: S O
authors: SO
authors: Ulualp
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Kern
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Shaker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D011312:Pressure