Parkinson's disease is associated with low striated esophagus contractility potentially contributing to the development of dysphagia.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, and more than 80% of PD patients will develop oropharyngeal dysphagia. Despite its striated histology, proximity to airway, and potential negative impact of its dysfunction on bolus transport and airway safety, the contractile function of the striated esophagus in PD patients has not been systematically studied. METHODS: Using our repository of clinical manometry and the Milwaukee ManoBank, we analyzed high-resolution manometry (HRM) studies of 20 PD patients, mean age 69.1 (range 38-87 years); 30 non-PD patients with dysphagia, mean age 64.0 (44-86 years); and 32 healthy volunteers, mean age 65.3 (39-86 years). Patients with abnormal findings based on Chicago Classification 4.0 were identified. Repeat analysis was performed in 20% of the manometric tracings by a different investigator with inter-rater concordance between 0.91 and 0.99. KEY RESULTS: The striated esophageal contractile integral in PD patients was significantly lower than that in non-PD dysphagic patients and healthy controls (p = 0.03 and <0.01, respectively). This significant difference persisted after excluding patients with concurrent Chicago Classification motility disorders (p = 0.02 and 0.01, respectively). In both analyses, the distal esophageal contractile integral did not show any significant difference between groups (p = 0.58 and 0.93, respectively). CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: PD is associated with a significant decrease in striated esophagus contractility compared to non-PD and healthy controls. This finding may play a pathophysiologic role in development of dysphagia in this patient population.

Esophageal motility disorder - has Chicago classification v4.0 simplified our management?

REVIEW PURPOSE: Addressing dysphagia is vital due to its prevalence and impact on healthcare expenditure. While high resolution manometry (HRM) effectively evaluates esophageal dysphagia, its role in oropharyngeal dysphagia and upper esophageal sphincter (UES) dysfunction remains debated. The fourth iteration of the Chicago classification (CC) offers an algorithmic approach for diagnosing abnormal motor patterns via HRM. This review assesses the CC's impact on dysphagia management. RECENT INSIGHTS: The Chicago classification version 4.0 emphasizes auxiliary and provocative techniques when the algorithm falls short of a conclusive diagnosis. It introduces stricter criteria for previously ambiguous conditions like ineffective motility and esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction. This version also introduces the concept of conclusive and inconclusive classifications based on symptoms, provocation maneuvers, and supportive testing minimizing ambiguity. SUMMARY: The Chicago classification v4.0 remains a useful tool for the diagnosis of well characterized esophageal motility disorders. However, major limitations include reliance on HRM and a focus on distal esophagus contractile characteristics without considering proximal esophagus or upper esophageal sphincter, both of which can sometimes be the only evident abnormality in patients with dysphagia. Despite efforts to reduce ambiguity, diagnostic challenges persist. These limitations can be addressed in future updates.

Effect of inter-swallow interval on striated esophagus peristalsis; a comparative study with smooth muscle esophagus.

BACKGROUND: Effect of inter-swallow interval on the contractility of smooth muscle esophagus is well-documented. However, the effects on peristalsis of the striated esophagus have not been systematically studied. A better understanding of striated esophagus motor function in health and disease may enhance the interpretation of manometric studies and inform clinical care. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of inter-swallow interval on striated esophagus compared to findings with that of the smooth muscle esophagus. METHODS: We performed two sets of studies to (1) determine the effect of various inter-swallow interval in 20 healthy volunteers and (2) assess the effect of ultra-short swallow intervals facilitated by straw drinking in 28 volunteers. We analyzed variables using ANOVA with Tukey's pairwise comparison and paired t-test. KEY RESULTS: Unlike smooth muscle esophagus, the striated esophagus contractile integral did not change significantly for swallow intervals ranging from 30 to 5 s. On the contrary, striated esophagus demonstrated absent or reduced peristalsis in response to ultra-short (<2 s) intervals during straw-facilitated multiple rapid swallows. CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES: Striated esophagus peristalsis is subject to manometrically observed inhibition during swallows with ultra-short intervals. Inter-swallow intervals as short as 5 s that inhibit smooth muscle esophagus peristalsis do not inhibit striated muscle peristalsis. The mechanisms of these observations are unknown but may relate to central or myenteric nervous system influences or the effects of pharyngeal biomechanics.

Variables influencing manometric parameters of deglutitive and non-deglutitive upper esophageal sphincter: A study of 89 asymptomatic participants.

BACKGROUND: High-resolution manometry overcomes limitations imposed by axial and radial asymmetry as well as swallow and respiration-induced movement of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES), allowing for its reliable use in evaluation of dysphagic and reflux patients. The aim of this study was to determine normative values and their variability across position, sex, age, height, weight, BMI, and volume for clinically relevant deglutitive and non-deglutitive UES parameters. METHODS: We studied 89 asymptomatic volunteers age 19-90 years, (45 female) during 3-10 repetitions of dry, 5 and 10 ml water swallows at 30-s intervals using high-resolution manometry. KEY RESULTS: Upper esophageal sphincter high-pressure zone was longer in men than women and in supine than upright position. UES basal contractile integral and mean basal pressure were higher in supine compared to upright; higher in men than women, inversely correlated with age, correlated positively with height and with weight in the supine position only. UES relaxation duration was longer in upright than in supine position but not affected by age, sex, height, weight, or BMI. It was longer with 5 and 10 ml compared with dry swallows. UES minimum/nadir relaxation and mean relaxation pressures were lower in upright than supine position, increased with increase in age and were higher in men than women. CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES: Position, sex, age, height, weight, and volume affect some deglutitive and non-deglutitve UES manometric parameters. BMI does not affect the studied manometric parameters. These effects should be taken into consideration in clinical evaluation of UES.

Differences in fatigability of muscles involved in fecal continence: Potential clinical ramifications.

INTRODUCTION: Fatigue of the anal sphincter complex has been demonstrated using high-resolution anorectal manometry (HRAM). However, the fatigability of individual muscles such as the external anal sphincter (EAS) and puborectalis muscles (PRM) has not been described. Vaginal manometry has been used to study contractile activity of the PRM. By applying both modalities, we attempted to differentiate the fatigability between the PRM and the EAS under different exercise conditions. METHODS: We studied two groups: group 1, 12 healthy women (21 ± 2.7 years) with HRAM and group 2, 10 healthy (20 ± 3 years) women with vaginal manometry. All subjects performed 40 repetitive contractions with and without an intra-anal resistive load. In group 1, areas under the curve (AUC) of the anal canal high-pressure zone (HPZ) including the caudal and rostral halves were compared. In group 2, the maximum and mean pressures of the vaginal HPZ were compared. RESULTS: The AUC decreased significantly only after repetitive contractions against a resistive load (462 ± 129 vs. 390 ± 131 mmHg-cm, p = 0.02), indicating fatigue. The caudal half (EAS) decreased significantly after contractions against a load (288 ± 75 vs. 239 ± 82 mmHg-cm, p = 0.02), while the rostral half (PRM) did not. The vaginal pressures (PRM) also decreased only after repetitive contractions against a load (maximum pressures, 358 ± 171 vs. 239 ± 109 mmHg, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The EAS and PRM both exhibit fatigue with contractions only against a resistive load. These findings may guide the development of appropriate exercise regimens to target specific muscles involved in fecal continence.

Older Age Reduces Upper Esophageal Sphincter and Esophageal Body Responses to Simulated Slow and Ultraslow Reflux Events and Post-Reflux Residue.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: It is not clear how age affects airway protective mechanisms. We investigated the effects of aging on upper esophageal sphincter (UES) and esophageal body pressure responses to slow and ultraslow simulated reflux events and post-reflux residue. METHODS: We performed a prospective study of 11 elderly (74 ± 9 years old) and 11 young (28 ± 7 years old) healthy volunteers. Participants were placed in a supine position and evaluated by concurrent high-resolution impedance manometry and an esophageal infusion technique. Potential conditions of gastroesophageal reflux were simulated, via infusion of 0.1 N HCl and saline. UES and esophageal pressure responses were measured during the following: slow infusion (1 mL/s) for 60 seconds, 60 seconds of postinfusion dwell period, ultraslow infusion (0.05 mL/s) for 60 seconds, and 60 seconds of a postinfusion dwell period. All infusions were repeated 3 times. We used the UES high-pressure zone contractile integral (UES-CI) to determine responses of the UES. RESULTS: Young and elderly subjects each had a significant increase in the UES-CI during slow infusions and during entire passive dwell intervals compared with baseline (P < .01, both groups). Ultraslow infusions were associated with a significant increase in UES-CI in only the young group, in the late infusion period, and into the dwell interval (P < .01). During the slow infusions and their associated dwell periods, young subjects had a higher frequency of secondary peristalsis than elderly subjects (P < .05). There was more secondary peristalsis during active infusions than dwell intervals. Secondary peristalsis was scarce during ultraslow infusions in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: UES and esophageal body pressure responses to low-volume ultraslow reflux and associated post-reflux residue are reduced in elderly individuals. This deterioration could have negative effects on airway protection for people in this age group.

Characterization of Esophageal Motility Disorders in Children Presenting With Dysphagia Using High-Resolution Manometry.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The Chicago classification was based on metrics derived from studies in asymptomatic adult subjects. Our objectives were to characterize esophageal motility disorders in children and to determine whether the spectrum of manometric findings is similar between the pediatric and adult populations. RECENT FINDINGS: Studies have suggested that the metrics utilized in manometric diagnosis depend on age, size, and manometric assembly. This would imply that a different set of metrics should be used for the pediatric population. There are no standardized and generally accepted metrics for use in the pediatric population, though there have been attempts to establish metrics specific to this population. Overall, we found that the distribution of esophageal motility disorders in children was like that described in adults using the Chicago classification. This analysis will serve as a prequel to follow-up studies exploring the individual metrics for variability among patients, with the objective of establishing novel metrics for the pediatric population.