Manometric features of mechanically defective lower esophageal sphincter in control subjects and in patients with different degrees of gastroesophageal reflux

The prevalence of mechanically defective lower esophageal sphincter was determined in 109 asymptomatic subjects and in 886 patients with pathologic gastroesophageal reflux, separated according to the severity of endoscopic injury. Among controls, a defective sphincter was altered in 7% of cases. In patients with gastroesophageal reflux (n=370) without esophagitis, and in cases with erosive esophagitis (n=259), the prevalence of defective sphincter was 32% and 39.8% respectively. Among patients with Barrett’s esophagus, this alteration was observed in 65.8% of cases. The most altered parameter was the abdominal length of the sphincter less than 10mm, followed by a sphincter pressure equal to or less than 6 mmHg.