Esophageal motility differences among aged patients with achalasia: a Taiwan report.
OBJECTIVE
There are limited reports on esophageal motility pressures in aged patients with achalasia and these are inconclusive. The aim of the present retrospective study was to understand the changes of esophageal motility in aged achalasia patients among the Taiwan population.


METHODS
Manometric studies of 49 patients with achalasia had been performed through January 1998 to June 2005. The findings of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) basal and residual pressures and esophageal body contraction amplitudes were calculated and compared between the older and younger patient groups at different age cut-offs.


RESULTS
Higher basal LES pressure increased significantly from the cut-off age of 65 years (i.e. patients over 65 had significantly higher basal LES pressure than younger patients: 37.0 +/- 4.19 mmHg vs 30.0 +/- 1.32 mmHg, P = 0.045). With patients > or =70 years old, it was more obvious (46.0 +/- 3.7 mmHg vs 29.6 +/- 1.2 mmHg, P = 0.001). Beginning at the cut-off age of 55, the LES residual pressure was significantly higher in older patients than those who were younger (14.0 +/- 11.06 mmHg vs 11.1 +/- 0.6 mmHg, P = 0.017). LES residual pressure is more significant in the older groups. A linear correlation between age and residual LES pressures (r = 0.383) was found. No differences were found in esophageal contraction pressure.


CONCLUSIONS
Older achalasia patients in Taiwan have higher basal LES pressures, with a linear correlation between age and residual LES pressures. Age has no influence on esophageal contraction pressure.
Chuah
Seng-Kee
SK
Gastrointestinal Motility Unit, Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Taiwan.
Changchien
Chi-Sin
CS
Wu
Keng-Liang
KL
Hu
Tsung-Hui
TH
Kuo
Chung-Mou
CM
Chiu
Yi-Chun
YC
Chiu
King-Wah
KW
Kuo
Chung-Huang
CH
Chiou
Shue-Shian
SS
Lee
Chuan-Mo
CM
D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D049630:Esophageal Sphincter, Lower / Q000503:physiopathology; D004947:Esophagus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008365:Manometry; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D011312:Pressure; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013624:Taiwan