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Eosinophilic esophagitis: manometric and pHmetric findings

Esofagite eosinofílica: achados manométricos e pHmétricos

Abstracts

CONTEXT: Eosinophilic esophagitis is an entity characterized by an esophageal inflammatory infiltrate of eosinophils, manifested by dysphagia, intermittent food impactions and symptoms similar to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), that predominantly affects young adults. There may be association of eosinophilic esophagitis with GERD, and motor abnormalities have been described. OBJECTIVE: The main objectives of this study are to describe the findings at esophageal manometry and pH monitoring in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 20 patients with a diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis, submitted to esophageal manometry and 24h pH monitoring. Were analysed the manometric changes and the presence of abnormal reflux on pH monitoring. RESULTS: Twenty patients (15 men, 5 women) had a mean age of 29 years. Motility disorders were found in 25% (5/20) patients with ineffective esophageal motility being the most common finding. pH monitoring revealed abnormal reflux on 25%, without any relationship with manometric findings. CONCLUSIONS: Manometric abnormalities were observed in 25% of patients and abnormal reflux on pH monitoring also in 25%. This study showed no relationship between abnormal reflux and the presence of manometric changes.

Eosinophilic esophagitis; Esophageal motility disorders; Gastroesophageal reflux


CONTEXTO: A esofagite eosinofílica é uma doença inflamatória crônica, caracterizada por infiltrado eosinofílico no esôfago e se manifesta por disfagia, impactações alimentares e sintomas similares aos da doença do refluxo gastroesofágico (DRGE), com maior incidência em adultos jovens. Pode haver associação da esofagite eosinofílica com a DRGE, e anormalidades motoras têm sido descritas. OBJETIVO: Os principais objetivos deste estudo são descrever as alterações manométricas e a presença de refluxo anormal à pHmetria esofágica em pacientes com esofagite eosinofílica. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal de 20 pacientes com diagnóstico de esofagite eosinofílica, submetidos a esofagomanometria e pHmetria esofagiana de 24 h. Foram analisadas as alterações manométricas e a presença de refluxo anormal à pHmetria. RESULTADOS: Vinte pacientes (15 homens, 5 mulheres) com média de idade de 29 anos. Distúrbios da motilidade esofagiana foram encontrados em 25% dos pacientes, com predomínio da motilidade esofagiana ineficaz. A pHmetria revelou refluxo anormal também em 25%, sem relação entre os achados manométricos e pHmétricos. CONCLUSÕES: Anormalidades manométricas foram encontradas em 25% dos pacientes e refluxo anormal à pHmetria também em 25%. Neste estudo, não houve relação entre refluxo anormal e a presença de alterações à esofagomanometria.

Esofagite eosinofílica; Transtornos da motilidade esofágica; Refluxo gastroesofágico


ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Eosinophilic esophagitis: manometric and pHmetric findings

Esofagite eosinofílica: achados manométricos e pHmétricos

Monica Maria Cardoso Monnerat; Eponina Maria De Oliveira Lemme

Correspondence Correspondence: Prof. Eponina M. Oliveira Lemme Travessa Santa Terezinha, 14 - Tijuca 20271-070 - Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil E-mail: eponina@hucff.ufrj.br

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: Eosinophilic esophagitis is an entity characterized by an esophageal inflammatory infiltrate of eosinophils, manifested by dysphagia, intermittent food impactions and symptoms similar to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), that predominantly affects young adults. There may be association of eosinophilic esophagitis with GERD, and motor abnormalities have been described.

OBJECTIVE: The main objectives of this study are to describe the findings at esophageal manometry and pH monitoring in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis.

METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 20 patients with a diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis, submitted to esophageal manometry and 24h pH monitoring. Were analysed the manometric changes and the presence of abnormal reflux on pH monitoring.

RESULTS: Twenty patients (15 men, 5 women) had a mean age of 29 years. Motility disorders were found in 25% (5/20) patients with ineffective esophageal motility being the most common finding. pH monitoring revealed abnormal reflux on 25%, without any relationship with manometric findings.

CONCLUSIONS: Manometric abnormalities were observed in 25% of patients and abnormal reflux on pH monitoring also in 25%. This study showed no relationship between abnormal reflux and the presence of manometric changes.

Headings: Eosinophilic esophagitis. Esophageal motility disorders. Gastroesophageal reflux.

RESUMO

CONTEXTO: A esofagite eosinofílica é uma doença inflamatória crônica, caracterizada por infiltrado eosinofílico no esôfago e se manifesta por disfagia, impactações alimentares e sintomas similares aos da doença do refluxo gastroesofágico (DRGE), com maior incidência em adultos jovens. Pode haver associação da esofagite eosinofílica com a DRGE, e anormalidades motoras têm sido descritas.

OBJETIVO: Os principais objetivos deste estudo são descrever as alterações manométricas e a presença de refluxo anormal à pHmetria esofágica em pacientes com esofagite eosinofílica.

MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal de 20 pacientes com diagnóstico de esofagite eosinofílica, submetidos a esofagomanometria e pHmetria esofagiana de 24 h. Foram analisadas as alterações manométricas e a presença de refluxo anormal à pHmetria.

RESULTADOS: Vinte pacientes (15 homens, 5 mulheres) com média de idade de 29 anos. Distúrbios da motilidade esofagiana foram encontrados em 25% dos pacientes, com predomínio da motilidade esofagiana ineficaz. A pHmetria revelou refluxo anormal também em 25%, sem relação entre os achados manométricos e pHmétricos.

CONCLUSÕES: Anormalidades manométricas foram encontradas em 25% dos pacientes e refluxo anormal à pHmetria também em 25%. Neste estudo, não houve relação entre refluxo anormal e a presença de alterações à esofagomanometria.

Descritores: Esofagite eosinofílica. Transtornos da motilidade esofágica. Refluxo gastroesofágico.

INTRODUCTION

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic, immune/antigen-mediated(5, 13) inflammatory esophageal disorder(24, 25) with a rapidly increasing prevalence(6, 17). Recent epidemiologic data indicate that EoE is now the second leading cause of chronic esophagitis, behind gastroesophageal reflux disease(20, 26) and a frequent cause of dysphagia(19). Its prevalence in children(6) and adults(20) almost reaches levels comparable to Crohn's disease. EoE affects all age groups with a peak between the age of 20 and 50(4). EoE is clinico-pathologically characterized by esophageal symptoms in combination with a dense esophageal eosinophilia, both being refractory to proton pump inhibitors. Notably, eosinophilic inflammation is absent in the stomach, small intestine and colon(9).

EoE's leading symptom in adolescents and adults is dysphagia for solids with the imminent risk of prolonged food impactions(1, 2, 4, 21). Furthermore, patients frequently complain of retrosternal pain that is unrelated to swallowing activity(9).

All studies agree that 80%-90% of patients have endoscopic features, most of them nonspecific(25, 27) and none of them are pathognomonic of EoE(5, 13). Sometimes the endoscopic patterns do not explain food impaction episodes, and in these cases a manometric study could be reasonable.

Lucendo et al.(14) described manometric abnormalities in 26/30 (86,6%) adult patients with EoE, and observed that the motor disorders exclusively affected the part of the esophagus comprising smooth muscle.

When the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) vs EoE in not apparent despite endoscopy and biopsy, intraesophageal pH monitoring may be of use in excluding pathologic reflux as either the primary or a concomitant cause for esophageal eosinophilia, as recommended by the Consensus guidelines(5, 13).

Some reports suggest that the interaction between GERD and EoE can be complex, and that the notion of establishing a clear distinction between the two disorders may be too simplistic. There are at least four situations in which GERD might be associated with esophageal eosinophils: (1) GERD causes esophageal injury that results in a mild eosinophilic infiltration; (2) GERD and EoE coexist but are unrelated; (3) EoE contributes to or causes GERD; or (4) GERD contributes to or causes EoE(14).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the etiology of dysphagia and the presence of reflux in EoE, analyzing pHmetric and manometric disorders and if there was a correlation between them.

METHODS

This is a descriptive study of esophageal manometry and 24-hour pH monitoring in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). The protocol of this research was approved by the Commission of Ethics in Research of Clementino Fraga Filho Hospital University, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. Cases were 20 symptomatic patients, recruited from the Gastroenterologic Division at Hospital University, based on previous clinical documentation of esophageal symptoms suggestive of EoE and current endoscopic biopsies with histopathology confirming EoE as defined by the Consensus guidelines(5, 13) and had at least 15 eosinophils/high power field. From 20 patients, 15 were man and 5 women, the average age was 29 years, with higher prevalence (60%) between 15 and 30 years. The predominant symptoms were the recurrent food impaction (55%), heartburn (35%), dysphagia for solids (25%) and thoracic pain (15%), with average duration 34.6 months (3 months to 10 years). Every patient had been submitted to upper digestive endoscopy. All of them had endoscopic abnormalities, alone or combined. Noticeable loss of vascular pattern was found in all patients, with whitish plaques and longitudinal furrows. Patients received information about esophageal manometry and 24-hour pH monitoring exams and their possible side effects and complications. All subjects gave written informed consent.

Manometric study

Esophageal manometry (EM) was carried out at The Esophagus Unit of the University Hospital, using perfusion computerized equipment (ALACER, Brazil) and an 8-channel, 4,5 mm diameter polyvinyl catheter, with the patient in supine position and after the 6-hour fast. After administering topical anesthesia using lidocaine, the manometry tube was inserted trough the anesthetized nostril. A baseline gastric waveform was identified on the monitor screen to confirm placement of the four catheter sensing ports in the stomach after which an end-expiratory LES pressure in mm Hg was obtained by the station pull trough method. The mean of the highest values recorded from each of the four ports was considered the LES pressure. Relaxation of the sphincter was evaluated after at least 10 wet swallows. After LES measurements, one of distal channels of the manometry catheter was positioned 3 cm above the LES upper border.

The esophageal body motility was measured by recording the response to at least 10 wet swallows of 3-5 mL volume. The manometry catheter was subsequently slowly withdrawn until the proximal hole of the catheter showed a good pressure waveform of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) and relaxation of the UES pressure was monitored during the wet swallow. The catheter was further withdrawn until the second port recorded the UES pressure and after wet swallows the pharyngeal contraction and relaxation of the UES were recorded.

For diagnosing of motility abnormalities was used the International Classification of Esophageal Motor Disorders(22) adapting where relevant, to the normal values employees in the Esophagus Unit from study(12) in healthy volunteers (Table 1).

24-hour pH ambulatory monitoring

Twenty-four-hour intraesophageal pH studies were performed with portable digital recorders (MKIII, AL2 Alacer and Sigma SMP 2128, MG), an antimony catheter and an outer electrode. This test was performed after a 6-hour fast, introducing the catheter trough the nostril and placed 5 centimeters proximal to the LES (localized by manometric study) after calibrating the catheter for pH 1.07 and 7.01 using reference solutions.

Patients continued their normal daily activities and were allowed a normal diet, with no citric fruits or soft drinks. Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) were discontinued at least 7 days prior to the examination and prokinetics agents 24 hours before the test.

It was considered reflux episode when the pH of the esophagus to fall to less than 4 for at least 15 seconds. For the interpretation of the results they hired the percentage (%) of total time pH<4 and in the upright position and supine position; normal values as % total time < 4.5%, % upright time < 7.0% and % supine time < 2.5%(8).

RESULTS

Esophageal manometry

Esophageal manometry was normal in 75% of patients. Only five patients (25%) presented manometric disturbances. The study of the upper esophageal sphincter was normal in all patients, including rest pressure, relaxation and pharyngoesophageal coordination. Motor disorders affect only the smooth muscles of esophagus. The LES was normal in 18 patients (90%), hypertensive (38.2 mm Hg) with normal relaxation in 1 patient (5%) and excessive hypotensive (4.6 mm Hg) in another. The study of the esophageal body showed ineffective esophageal motility in 3 patients (15%). Esophageal manometry results are presented in Table 2.

24-hour pH monitoring

PH monitoring was normal in 15/20 patients (75%) and revealed abnormal reflux in 5/20 patients (25%), being 3 patients with supine reflux and 2 with bipositional reflux. One patient presented bronchospasm coincident with reflux (index of symptoms positive). Table 3 shows the findings described.

The five patients with abnormal reflux on pH monitoring received double dose PPI during 8 weeks and then the esophageal biopsies were repeated. There was persistence of the endoscopic findings of EoE and the esophageal eosinophilia.

Correlation between pH monitoring and manometry findings

There was no correlation between manometry and pH monitoring findings.

From five patients with abnormal reflux only one presented abnormal manometry ineffective esophageal motility and from five patients with abnormal manometry only one had abnormal reflux (Tables 4 and 5).

DISCUSSION

Esophageal motility has not been well characterized in patients who have EoE. NurKo et al.(18) published, in 2008, a literature review on esophageal dismotility in EoE and identified 19 studies in adults, with a total of 115 patients. Primary disorders were found in 12 patients: 2 with achalasia, diffuse esophageal spasm in 7 and nutcracker esophagus in 3 patients. LES was normal in 100 patients, hypotensive in 12, hypertensive in 3 and incomplete relaxation was found in 2 achalasia patients. Unspecific motor abnormalities (tertiary contractions, low-amplitude and ineffective esophageal motility were reported in 35 patients (34.3%) and contractions of high amplitude in 11. Therefore, manometric disturbances were found in 41% of patients.

In our study, esophageal manometry was normal in 15 patients (75%). Esophageal manometry was abnormal in 5 patients in this study (25%), being the most frequent change ineffective esophageal motility, identified in 3 patients. We also found a patient with hypotensive LES (4.5 mm Hg) and another with hypertensive LES (38.2 mm Hg). The upper esophageal sphincter was normal in all patients. In our study, only one patient who presented manometric change had abnormal reflux. Motility disorders were present in 40% (2/5) of patients with dysphagia for solids and 36% (4/11) of patients with recurrent food impaction.

Normal pH monitoring was found in patient who presented hypotensive lower esophageal sphincter.

According to Korsapati et al.(10) esophageal manometry measures only the circular muscle function of the esophagus, and not all motility disorders are discovered by this method.

Martin et al.(15) reported normal LES in 9 patients (81%), hypotensive in 2 (18%), and ineffective esophageal motility was identified in 5 patients (45%), a percentage greater than the one described by other authors.

Lucendo et al.(14) described manometric abnormalities in 26/30 (86,6%) adult patients with EoE, and observed that the motor disorders exclusively affected the part of the esophagus comprising smooth muscle. The manometric study of the upper esophageal sphincter was normal in all patients, including resting pressure, dynamic behavior, and pharyngoesophageal motor coordination. The LES was hypotensive in 12/30 (40%), a hypoperistaltic motor pattern was found in 17/30 patients (56.7%), and a hyperkinetic pattern in 9 patients (30%).

Hejazi et al.(7) inferred that dysphagia in EoE can be attributed at least in part to motility disorders that can improves with treatment. Some authors suggest that there are different phases in the development of motor abnormalities, similarly to what happens in other disorders affecting esophageal function such as GERD and achalasia. Initially the motility is normal, then it would raise spastic hypercontractility and diffuse esophageal spasm that evolutes to simultaneous low-amplitude contractions.

Rothenberg et al.(21) analysed the results of nine studies on esophageal pH monitoring in EoE, and abnormal results were found in 18% of 100 patients. In the publication of Martin et al.(15) abnormal reflux on pH monitoring was found in two patients (18%).

GERD is a common condition and may affect 10% to 20% of healthy adults(3), while the EoE can affect up to 1% of a population(20). So, GERD and EoE coexist but are unrelated(16, 23).

In our study, the presence of abnormal reflux in five patients (25%), attach to overlap between EoE and GERD. The five patients with abnormal reflux on pH monitoring received double dosage PPI during 8 weeks and then the esophageal biopsies were repeated. There was not remission of dysphagia, neither the endoscopic findings of EoE and the esophageal eosinophilia. This way, GERD was discarded as a cause of esophageal eosinophilia, as this continued after PPI treatment.

In 2007, Consensus guidelines(5), one of the diagnostic criteria for EoE is that there would be no improvement with esophageal eosinophilia with acid suppression. However, in a high percentage adult patients with eosinophilic infiltration in the esophagus present coexisting GERD(16). This ratifies that the partial response to PPI does not exclude EoE diagnosis, and that pH monitoring and esophageal manometry should be performed in patients with atypical symptoms or when there is no diagnostic definition. It is important to emphasize that EoE can coexist with GERD; however, treatment with PPI allows control of acid reflux but does not improves the dysphagia.

Another possible association between EoE and GERD is that eosinophils secret potent agents that can affect esophageal smooth muscle and nerve function. Cytotoxic effects of eosinophils may render esophageal epithelium more susceptible to reflux injury(23).

We find in our study 5/20 (25%) patients who presented manometric abnormalities (hypertensive LES in 1 patient, excessive hypotensive LES in other and IEM in 3 patients). Only 1 patient with ineffective esophageal motility had abnormal reflux on pH (supine position).

IEM was the most frequent manometric abnormality in this study, as in other publications about EoE(7, 15, 18). IEM has been associated with reflux in both the supine and upright position, prolonged esophageal clearance, and delayed of bolus transport(11).

Five patients (25%) showed pathological reflux on pH monitoring (two patients with bipositional reflux and three patients with supine reflux). One of these patients presented IEM on manometry. The presence of abnormal reflux in the other patients would be related to overlap between EoE and GERD. Our study may have some limitations for the analysis pHmetric and manometric features arising from the small number of patients with EoE, but there was no correlation between pHmetric and manometric findings.

In conclusion, manometric abnormalities were observed in 25% of patients and abnormal reflux on pH monitoring also in 25%. Ineffective esophageal motility was the most frequent disorder in this study. There was no relationship between abnormal reflux and the presence of manometric changes in these patients.

Received 18/9/2011

Accepted 28/2/2012

Esophagus Unit, Gastroenterology Division, Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

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  • Correspondence:
    Prof. Eponina M. Oliveira Lemme
    Travessa Santa Terezinha, 14 - Tijuca
    20271-070 - Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
    E-mail:
  • Publication Dates

    • Publication in this collection
      02 July 2012
    • Date of issue
      June 2012

    History

    • Received
      18 Sept 2011
    • Accepted
      28 Feb 2012
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