[A study of esophageal function and reflux characteristics of gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients presenting with chronic cough]

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with chronic cough by the results of combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and high-resolution manometry (MII-HRM) procedure and 24-hour multichannel intraluminal impedance combined pH (MII-pH) monitoring.

Methods: From March 2010 to November 2010, consecutive patients of GERD with chronic cough (more than 8 weeks) admitted to Beijing Chaoyang Hospital of Capital Medical University underwent 24-hour MII-pH monitoring and MII-HRM procedure with symptom association probability (SAP) over 95%. Data of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, LES relaxation, LES residual pressure, esophageal body peristalsis function and swallow bolus transit (liquid/viscous) was collected and the result of 24-hour MII-pH monitoring was analysed by the computer software containing reflux episode activity (acid/nonacid, upright/recumbent), proximal extent, acid exposure and mean acid/bolus clearance time. Seventeen patients of GERD with typical reflux symptom were selected as the control group.

Results: Comparing with patients of GERD with typical reflux symptom, patients of GERD with chronic cough showed decreased upper esophageal sphincter pressure (UESP) [(122.55 ± 60.48) mm Hg vs (86.37 ± 41.35) mm Hg, P < 0.05, 1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa], higher percentage of abnormality peristalsis [(9.47 ± 15.63)% vs (22.16 ± 17.45)%, P < 0.05], degraded esophagus transmittability of liquid substance [(88.82 ± 12.23)% vs (71.68 ± 23.06)%, P < 0.05], more reflux episode activity (acid/nonacid) in supine position and proximal reflux episode (nonacid) in supine position (P < 0.05) and longer mean bolus clearance time (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Decrease of the UESP, increase of the reflux episode activity (acid/nonacid) in supine position and proximal reflux episode (nonacid) in supine position, lengthened mean bolus clearance time in supine position and the degraded esophagus clearance ability may all correlated with the pathogenesy of GERD with chronic cough.