Manometric abnormalities and gastroesophageal reflux disease in the morbidly obese.
BACKGROUND
Obesity is an epidemic in the USA. Many disorders are associated with obesity including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, the prevalence of GERD and esophageal motility disorders in the morbidly obese population is unclear.


METHODS
During evaluation for bariatric surgery, 61 morbidly obese patients underwent preoperative 24-hr pH and esophageal manometry. A single reviewer evaluated all 24-hr pH and manometric tracings. Johnson-DeMeester score >14.7 was considered diagnostic of GERD. Manometric criteria for motility disorders were from published values. All values are given as mean +/- SD.


RESULTS
Mean age was 44.4 + 10.3 years. 55 of the patients (90%) were female. Mean BMI was 50.1 +/- 7.2 kg/m(2). 23 patients (38%) complained of GERD symptoms (reflux and/or heartburn). 1 patient (2%) complained of noncardiac chest pain. Mean Johnson-DeMeester score was 19.6 +/- 17.8. Mean intragastric and intrabolus pressures were both elevated (8.3 +/- 1.6 mmHg and 15 +/- 9 mmHg). 33 patients (54%) had abnormal manometric findings: 10 had a mechanically defective LES, 11 had a hypertensive LES, 2 had diffuse esophageal spasm, 3 had nutcracker esophagus,1 had ineffective esophageal disorder and 14 had nonspecific esophageal motility disorder. Some patients had more than one disorder. 20 patients (33%) had significantly elevated (>180 mmHg) contraction amplitudes at the most distal channel (210.0 +/- 28.7 mmHg).


CONCLUSIONS
Prevalence of manometric abnormalities in the morbidly obese is high. Presence of a nut cracker-like distal esophagus in the morbidly obese is significant and warrants further evaluation.
Bariatric Surgery Program and Minimally Invasive Surgery Program, Department of Surgery, Legacy Health System, 1040 NW 22nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97210, USA. hongdennis@netscape.net
Dennis
D
Hong
Yashodhan S
YS
Khajanchee
Natasha
N
Pereira
Barbara
B
Lockhart
Emma J
EJ
Patterson
Lee L
LL
Swanstrom
D000328:Adult; D015154:Esophageal Motility Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity