Comparison of the endoscopic aspect of the cardia, manometry and 24 hours pH measurement in patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux Comparación entre el aspecto endoscópico del cardias, hallazgos manométricosy pHmetría de 24 horas en pacientes con s

Abstract

Background: The endoscopic view of the gastric cardia could be related with the manometric competence of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and with pathological gastroesophageal reflux. Aim: To compare the endoscopic aspect of the cardia with the results from esophageal manometry and 24 h esophageal pH monitoring. Materials and Methods: The cardia of a group of 150 patients (aged 19 to 72 years, 89 women) with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms was classified as normal or open, during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. All subjects were subjected to a manometric study to measure LES pressure and determine LES incompetence and to a 24 h esophageal pH measurement. Results: LES pressure was 14.7±6.2 and 8.7±4.2 mmHg in patients with normal and open cardia, respectively (p <0.001). Likewise, 43 and 79% of patients with normal and open cardia had an incompetent LES, respectively (p <0.001). Pathological acid reflux was present in 43 and 71% of patients with normal or open cardia, respective