Manometric evaluation of esophageal function in progressive systemic sclerosis with special regard to the disease severity.

A study was conducted to elucidate the relation between the severity of progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) and the grade of esophageal function disorder, the extent of which was estimated using esophageal manometry. Fifty two patients with PSS were divided into the mild, moderate and severe groups according to the severity score established by the PSS Research Group supported by The Ministry of Health and Welfare of Japan. Primary peristaltic pressure in the esophageal body at 25 to 35cm from the incisors as well as lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP), which represents the function of the smooth muscle of the esophagus, were significantly decreased in parallel with the increasing severity of PSS. In contrast, there was no significant difference in upper esophageal sphincter pressure (UESP) or in primary peristaltic pressure at 20cm from the incisors, indicating that the function of striated muscle of the esophagus was not impaired. In addition, even in the mild PSS group without dysphagia (19 cases), primary peristaltic pressure in the esophageal body at 25 to 35cm from incisors was found to be significantly decreased in comparison with the control. Hence, esophageal manometry was useful for early detection of the pathophysiological state of the esophageal function in PSS.